Acacia Strain – Gravebloom

Deathcore band ‘Acacia Strain’ have released their 8th album, Gravebloom, and the 11 track mammoth of an album is full of heavy breakdowns, growls, and drone sounds. Faster songs like ‘Calloused Mouth’ and ‘Bitter Pill’ do well to add variety to the generally almost sludgy sound with rumbling bass lines and filthy riffs under rasping […]

Deathcore band ‘Acacia Strain’ have released their 8th album, Gravebloom, and the 11 track mammoth of an album is full of heavy breakdowns, growls, and drone sounds.

Faster songs like ‘Calloused Mouth’ and ‘Bitter Pill’ do well to add variety to the generally almost sludgy sound with rumbling bass lines and filthy riffs under rasping vocals screaming in an almost metronome fashion with a steady beat.

Heavy breakdowns seem to be what this band does best, highlighted in songs like ‘Bitter Pill’, and title track, ‘Gravebloom’. But, the real highlight comes in at ‘Abyssal Depths’, which begins with a tiny hint of guitar before you’re essentially punched in the face with a growl and everything else as it crashes into a crescendo of two minutes of hardcore metal, and it’s great.

The album is arguably more of an aggressive soundscape than an actual album, with more lighter and intricate melodies over heavy thrashing guitars, snarling shouts, and pounding drums as it trudges along.

Although, when you’re listening to the album, there isn’t much to distinguish between songs, or really even from past albums. There is no doubt in my mind that older fans will love this, because it isn’t necessarily a band album; but do I think this will attract any new listeners? No. If people haven’t liked the last five or so albums from the band, they’re unlikely to change their tune for this one.

Despite this, I think if you were to catch the band live, it would be a wonderful experience. If this album is anything, it’s mosh inducing. If you’re headed to Warped tour this summer, check out live videos of Acacia Strain to get you pumped, and then go and see them.

Chandni Sembhi

July 17, 2017

I'm Chandni, I review albums and gigs, and in my spare time design t-shirts on Redbubble, and play guitar. My life goal is to be a music journalist, so I guess I'm living the dream. My music taste varies from indie to metal to pop-punk.

@chandni_s_

View all author posts

Genre:
.