Any one of us could make the simple observation that the very world of death metal is becoming absolutely insane, even more so than it was in even its earliest days. Yet, it’s despite that we’re able to find ourselves in the very midst of technical and progressive madness than can oftentimes be too much to handle at times with all of the wild talent out there taking viciously creative routes the likes of which makes us wonder how the human brain could even fathom such a detailed and exquisite aural performance. When it comes to Warforged and all that they’ve accomplished in the short time that they’ve been a force to reckon with, few bands can compare. Yet, that didn’t stop Warforged from seeking to better themselves even after the wild success that was 2019’s “I: Voice” with its successor all but a powerful creation.

With a few changes in your approach and style, your sound can transform in the blink of an eye. I know that many wouldn’t dare ask for change given all that Warforged brought to the table three years ago with that album very much still in the hearts and minds of plenty with it acting as a real standard of the style. But then it’s the very arrival of Warforged’s brand new second full-length album, “The Grove | Sundial”, that a great shift has occurred with Warforged truly committed to their new approach with fervor and passion as the undeniable driving forces. This is effortlessly one of those albums that never once fully adheres to any of the styles that are at play here with its progressive and technical use utterly out of this world for every given moment that these nine tracks are around to absolutely captivate the listener. Nothing is out of the question here, either. From clean vocals to dramatic shifts in tone that one would likely never expect to come out of death metal of all genres, it’s right from the beginning that “The Grove | Sundial” proves itself to be an undeniable powerhouse of ingenuity and passion the likes of which I haven’t seen anything quite like in its uniqueness or power since the latest from bands like Rivers of Nihil and First Fragment. Unto the very end, this is record is what many would consider the epitome of out-of-the-box mastery of the style in such a form that cannot be considered anything less than compelling with Warforged all but fitting to be the ones to deliver such a creation after the promising potential that was unleashed three years ago.

Hands down, this is going to be one of those records that will be remembered for years from now for all that it dared to bring to the table and all that it achieved in its entirety. It was already clear that Warforged was not a name to be trifled with, but it’s in every given aspect that “The Grove | Sundial” blows every expectation right out of the water with its audacity and tenacious nature paired with the voracious talent making for an experience that is nigh on unforgettable.

LISTEN to “The Grove | Sundial” on Bandcamp here.

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