Description

A couple years ago, Belgium’s Oathbreaker were just another band that had some skill in merging shimmery melodies with blastbeats: an alluring and even comforting sound, if not the most original. In the three years between Eros|Anteros and their latest record, Rheia, they’ve expanded their scope without losing their rage. The album transforms their own abilities and the breadth of the much heralded—and derided—black metal-shoegaze fusion.

Unlike many of their peers, Oathbreaker play with a hardcore directness, and even their more melodic moments draw more from post-hardcore than Britpop or shoegaze. “Second Son of R.” and “Being Able to Feel Nothing” in particular are two of the most furious tracks the band’s ever recorded, blazing through and never losing momentum even when the pace settles down. Comparisons to Deafheaven are inevitable (they were labelmates at one point), and they’re not always accurate, but there’s no denying that the surging breakdown towards the end of “Immortals” is modeled after “Luna.” Oathbreaker make it their own by suggesting an ultimate payoff, only to cut off before ultimate ecstasy. They’re vicious with their metal, albeit more discerning with how it’s dished out.

Deathwish records. European version on double clear vinyl. NM/NM