The Acacia Strain – Death is the Only Mortal
Review by William Howard
Working Class Western Mass natives The Acacia Strain have been known through their eleven-year career as a band that won’t take shit from anyone. This is not to say they go around looking for it either. Content with doing their own thing and taking pride in it, the Acacia Strain are something special amongst hardcore enthusiasts. Now signing to Rise Records and recording the bands sixth album, entitled Death is the Only Mortal, the Acacia Strain have achieved what very few heavy have been able to achieve, a lengthy and productive career.
Death is the Only Mortal begins like most records do now, with an introduction. Taking a different approach than most, the first thirty seconds of the introduction are almost entirely silent breaking the silence only to reveal the sample of a 911 call which is barely understandable through the alterations to his voice. However this does not last long, exactly on the minute mark the Acacia Strain immediately strike with both bright but heavy chords. As the guitars strike again and the band drums count in the record, it is apparent the Acacia Strain means business with this record. Taking a slow but deep and powerful approach to the introduction the Acacia Strain immediately weed out the listeners too weak to stick it out. This record is not for the faint of heart nor ear.
Later in the record we uncover the intense and grooving hardcore track “Go To Sleep”. Focused around the deep growl, coupled with an alternatively bright scream to create the melodic focus of the vocals. With a number of unique vocal textures from lead vocalist Vincent Bennett and backing vocalist Jack Strong the track keeps you constantly guessing for what’s coming next. With a ten track record full of brutality and assault on your ears, the Acacia Strain came to do what they always do: create a record heavy enough to be worthy of their name. With a reputation for being the heaviest band in the business, they’ve created a record worthy of the title: Death is the Only Mortal.
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended Tracks: “Time and Death and God” and “Brain Death”
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