Truth Corroded
2008 LP Upon the Warlord's Crawl
Reviewed by Stu Wright
26 June 2008
Upon the Warlord's Crawl is Truth Corroded's follow-up to the 2005 release Our Enemy is the Weapon, and is without doubt the bands most accomplished album to date. Recorded between October and December of 2007, at both Soundhouse Studio and Slaughterhouse Studios in Adelaide, the band utilised sound engineer Kyle Bloksgaard for the entire recording. The album was then sent to Black Lounge Studio in Sweden to be mixed and mastered by Jonas Kjellgren (Scar Symmetry, Carnal Forge, The Absence). And what an inspired decision this has been, for if Upon the Warlord's Crawl does not provide Truth Corroded with a European platform for their music, then something has gone VERY wrong.
That’s right...it’s THAT good.
'Crown The Apocalypse' opens with intense double kick and furious dual riffing, and I got the immediate impression of Florida Death Metal legends 'Morbid Angel'. Is Liam Okninsky really Pete Sandoval? Well, not quite...but he could be. Truth Corroded must be very happy with his inclusion for this recording, as his drumming throughout Upon the Warlord's Crawl is exceptional. This is no light praise; I know Percussion and Liam is near world class. The new album features four of the members from the last album - Jason North on vocals, Mark Lennard on guitar, Greg Damon Shaw on bass (all original members of Truth Corroded since its inception a decade ago) and Corey Grieve on lead guitar, with Liam being the latest inclusion. Upon listening to the album, one can hear that this line-up synch so well that they must stay together. However, that's often easier said than done in the realms of musical expression.
'The Immolation Seen' kicks in like the best Slayer change, urgent and brutal. 'Salute the Horrors' has an awesome groove, and runs through its 3:35 so quickly you sadly wonder where it's gone. 'Decimate' is a multi-faceted composition, with several changes and some very Marty Friedman styled 90s leads. The fret work from guitarists Mark Lennard and Corey Grieve is top class throughout this recording, with intelligent if not slightly familiar rhythms, technically impressive lead work and a good variety of sounds from both players.
'Buried Alive By Demons’' is a well layered, epic tune; overall, there is good balance between speed, heaviness and darkness throughout the recording. The bands lyrics and message have always reflected the social/political views of the bands lyricists Mark Lennard and Greg Damon, and do so with this album, challenging questions of religion, neo-Imperialism and the environment.
'We Are Failed' equals HEAVY; listen to this through a good system and you will truly appreciate the time that has gone into getting every sound just right. Not easy when everything is this low, loud and frantic. 'When God Is Murder' has one of the best CHUGS that I've heard on a CD in a long time, absolutely fantastic and totally in keeping the feel of the rest of the album. (DUST) is a well conceived and executed interlude into the brutal, highly political sentiment with brick like subtlety that marks 'The Waste That Is Their Word'.
'The Disfiguring' feels like where Slayer should be now (this would've ruled on CHRIST ILLUSION, however I digress...), before rounding out with 'Despair Your Black Earth' (featuring Lee Gardiner from Double Dragon).
Sepultura, Neurosis, Dark Angel, Slayer, Obituary, Forbidden, Isis, The Haunted, Testament, Lamb of God, Morbid Angel...it’s all in there. The trick is how well Truth Corroded has done it... Scary, Dark Thrash combined with the urgent feel of Death Metal, tried by many but accomplished competently by few, the boys nail it with such passion and desperation, it is truly inspiring and a surprisingly easy listen.
Then, you remember that this is an ADELAIDE band...however they may not be here for long based on the strength of this release. Without doubt the best metal recording I've heard, from ANYWHERE, in quite a while. Buy it.
