2020 has had some really decent technical death metal releases from Symbolik, Inferi, Coexistence, Depravity, Cytotoxin, Beneath The Massacre and others to list a few. This time in 2021, we have a band residing in Arizona named Dead World Reclamation and their latest effort Aura Of Iniquity. Musically, they’re a technical, melodic, orchestral styled of death metal with a little trace of deathcore showers here and there. Aura Of Iniquity is self released by the band and is the follow-up to 2017’s Sentient which was a straightforward melodic death metal album showing what this band can fully demonstrate their sound and formula. But with this album, the music is tighter, stronger, fiercer and the way they incorporate symphonic elements into the music resembling of something you hear from Fleshgod Apocalypse, Ex Deo, Septicflesh or anyone playing symphonic death metal but using the compositions and arrangements they’ve utilized is nothing short but remarkable.
With this album, the band studied and have upgraded their instruments, craft and creating a fine imagery of their music which is something most technical death metal bands aren’t focused much in the genre as they’re known for playing music the fastest way possible but for a band like Dead World Reclamation their passion creating unique hybrids of death metal is just perfect. From the intricate instrumentals, natural sounding keyboard programing, usage of mesmerizing mid-paced and steady tempos from the audible guitars, bludgeoning vocals bringing a reminiscent of Arsis, The Black Dahlia Murder and Alterbeast to the almost ungodly, disgusting and menacing madness of brutalized structures within the mixing department, this release tells the tale of a race that sets the listener into a everlasting journey to the stars discovering the most compelling and unparalleled universes known to mankind.
Songs such as The Everlasting Hunt, Those Born Of Suffering, Pantheon of Shadows and Plaguemaster’s Legacy almost reminded me of Planetary Duality era of The Faceless known for the extraterrestrial style landscapes and boarding the extravagance of unadulterated, commandant and understandable skull driven heaviness will surely, but steadily keep fans on their feet begging for more endlessly with this album truly a contender for one of the absolute best technical and melodic death metal releases of 2021. Aura Of Iniquity takes two of my favorite subgenres of metal into one massive listening experience and fans of Inferi, Wretched, The Black Dahlia Murder and death metal should be paying attention to these Arizonian’s as their music is just the beginning of time and will make a name for themselves in the underground.
Overall Score: 9.5/10
Review by Jake Butler
