The typical landscape of melo-death in the current times really seems to be that of more positive vibes that permeate the music given bands like Countless Skies and Eternal Storm who have both won over throngs of fans with their colorful approach to the style. So, seeing a band that actually makes still visceral melo-death is something that I just don’t see a ton of anymore despite it being ripe for excellence all the time. Warbell knows the style is prime real estate for something good as they’ve been doing it for years, but it’s their new effort that’s likely their best to date.

It’s pretty apparent to me why the current landscape of melo-death has gone through such a stylistic change in plenty of instances because bands like the aforementioned Countless Skies and Eternal Storm bring a truly unique sense of euphoria that mixes together beautiful instrumentation with the ferocity of death metal vocals that when paired with great melody makes for a truly gripping concoction. But there are few things that are as satisfying like just straight-up death metal with tons of melody the likes of which Warbell provides in droves here. There isn’t a single piece of what’s brought forth throughout the entirety of “Plague” that isn’t nigh on infectious as Warbell shows a true understanding of their craft whose power can’t be denied in any form as we’re constantly treated to amazing melodies and riffs that really know how to keep the listener hooked deep. It’s a truly continuous onslaught of calculated chaos the likes of which one cannot turn away from easily because of how captivating they are, and Warbell has truly done well to make that the case for every piece of “Plague” such that by the end you’re left craving for more. The vocals are fucking deadly right from the beginning, the guitars land every note with obscene expertise, the bass grinds bones to dust in an instant, and the drums provide a backing power to this already bloody crusade of immense rhythm that, when it’s all brought together, enables Warbell to create something very much worth listening to.

There aren’t too many other works like this that come around, and that’s a damn shame because then that likely means stellar bands like Warbell won’t get the credit their due for their excellent work that does no less than devastate at every possible turn. The other works that Warbell has put out have been worthy of commendation, but it’s single-handedly with “Plague” that we see them at their absolute peak.

LISTEN to “Plague” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Warbell on Facebook here.