It is only on occasion to I find myself in a position such as the one I find myself in as I type this. Typically, it’s from the likes of bands along the lines of Inter Arma that leave me wondering where the body of work in question falls when it comes to comfortably placing it within genre boundaries, but some creations refuse to do such. Sometimes, it’s done to such dramatic effect that those who would dare do such have but two options: (1) foolishly try to do a task that has no point, or (2) surrender to the material and let it take you where it may. Personally, the latter is always the more attractive option. I wasn’t nearly ready enough for such a predicament when I sat down to listen to the latest work from Wallowing, but it’s clear after wandering this creation for hours that this record more than warrants any and all of the accolades it has received so far and all that is still on the way.

A work such as this is a real blindside by every imagination of the term. Unless you were part of the few that were already aware of Wallowing after their 2019 debut, you likely have not heard of the name before much like myself. And really, those who have been with Wallowing since those early days should find themselves incredibly lucky as they’re able to witness the evolution of the band with their very eyes even as those of us who have just found it know not exactly what we’ve come upon. Truly, there is only one word for what has been brought forth with “Earth Reaper”: excellence! This is an album that immediately makes itself known as an album of the year contender without so much as a shred of failure to be found in sight when it comes to how fluid the experience is as it constantly pulls from the wide spectrum of metal, the ferocity that permeates every given minute of the record, the competency with which Wallowing handles their awesome power, and the immense glory that is on display without any sign of backing down.

Not least of all, the very visage of “Earth Reaper” is something that is not easy to digest even given how well Wallowing has put it all together simply because of how much has gone into it, how much of it could have so quickly fallen apart, and how capable Wallowing is at keeping it all in check to a magnificent degree. Hell, just the title track by itself is enough to leave the jaw on the very floor as Wallowing’s talent and prowess are in a full, uncompromising display for its absolute entirety with the addition of the rest of the album only making this brutal sci-fi effort one that is not easy to forget. With more than enough competency as Wallowing effortlessly brings together elements from all over the realms of metal be it black metal, death, progressive, post, and, especially, doom and sludge, “Earth Reaper” constantly shifts and churns with the chaos of what goes on within the album itself with it being just as exhilarating and it is punishing to bear witness to. It all comes together with a real monolithic presence that never stops for a thing until the last shot is fired, the last body floats off into the void, and the cybernetic cries of both anguish and victory resonate between the stars.

This is what grand works are truly made of. Everything that was poured into this creation comes together with such overwhelming prowess and power that one is left stunned before what Wallowing summons forth from the outer reaches of space with their music of the sort that keeps you guessing as to what precisely will come next, what turns will be taken, and what vicious reality we’ll be met with when that time comes. The genius and high level of musicianship are just the driving forces of what makes “Earth Reaper” such a compelling listen from beginning to end, and I’ve no doubt that once you find yourself captured by what Wallowing puts forth here then you will not even dare to wriggle free in fear of missing what else the creation has to offer. What goes into this is what masterclass efforts are made out of, and I will be damned ashamed if we come to the end of the year and many don’t look upon this creation with immense praise.

LISTEN to “Earth Reaper” on Bandcamp here.

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