Strixskog returns with their latest EP titled Slaughtered. Once a more traditional heavy metal outfit, the band has now transitioned into a more progressive metal and with this release even hardcore and metalcore influences. The imagery of this release is deep, touching upon an age old tale of pride, wrath, and murder told through the legendary biblical story of Cain and Abel. This story is split between two tracks, totaling a little more than seven minutes. They flow seamlessly together, with diverse and rich musicality that makes for a very entertaining and fulfilling listen. The guitars are dense and the blast beats in the start are incredibly powerful and gets the blood pumping. There’s an all around ‘heft’ with the music that leaves an impact after the first listen. There are plenty of details to point out especially after a couple listens, as the way the songs are written provide for a wild ride.
What really stood out to me were the vocals. They’re rather hit or miss. The more operatic and heavy metal sung vocals are epic and create a really unique dynamic that I really feel mesh well with the rest of the band, especially the guitars. The screaming vocals are done well on the first track. They’re impactful, memorable and have a viscous shriek taking me back to their pure black metal days. But on the second track, they have this sorta hardcore punk angst that I just couldn’t really get comfortable with. Though, I was glad it went back to the operatic and epic vocals, they’re a very nice touch.
Overall, this album is much darker than their previous release Through the Raging Seas. Its darkness fits very well with overall message and story that inspired this album. Its a very interesting step in a new direction for Strixskog and a far cry to what they once were. But it is very promising and makes me look forward to hear a full length release under this new sound and approach.