Connecticut-based SHADOW OF INTENT picked their name from a ship within the lore-heavy Halo universe, which initially made it hard not to draw connections between the two. However, after their first two albums, they started exploring more existential themes. Both existing fans and newcomers will be intrigued by the themes presented within the lyrics of their new album, Imperium Delirium, confusion, betrayal, and suffering, the darker realities that we all can face.
With the opener Prepare To Die, the listener is pulled into an eternal wasteland with no escape. Drums echo the sound of war, and vocals sound like they’re coming straight out a blender.
In Flying The Black Flag, the guitars and strings at the beginning are reminiscent of the calm before a great battle is about to take place, setting the stage for a beast to be unleashed. Double kickers and echoing layers launch you into madness, which accelerates the pure speed and force of the vocals. Infinity of Horrors begins with a kick before a whirlwind of sound drags you along. The vocals halfway through reveal a clear Norwegian symphonic black metal influence. It evokes a volcanic landscape or a towering dark castle, bleak, majestic and dramatic.
Album review
Mechanical Chaos chugs along with machine-like consistency which brings out the feeling of being spun through two cogs in an engine. The drums here are insane, and the bell grooves cut through with precision. They Murdered Sleep and The Facets of Propaganda bring more orchestral elements, while aggressive blast beats and shrieks from Ben Duerr will wrap themselves round your spinal column and rip it out with no mercy.
Feeding the Meatgrinder, featuring the mighty Corpsegrinder is so choppy there isn’t a chance to catch a breath because you’re being diced up by Chris Wiseman’s guitar work, assaulted with Ben’s vocals, and shot with spiraling blasts provided by Bryce Butler on drums.
Vehement Draconian Vengeance scratches the melodic death metal itch with some serious arm-swinging spirit. All elements come together to knock you down, only to open into a piano piece that closes the track. Meanwhile, Beholding the Sickness of Civilization is heavy and complex, maintaining its energy from start to finish.
Apocalypse Canvas stands as an instrumental and puts the focus on the guitars, they deliver sharp, precise riffs which keeps the momentum going. Impeccable grooves from bassist Andrew Monias weave through the track, adding warm tones.
No Matter the Cost begins with an industrial vibe and opens into theatrical piano and deep roars. Imperium Delirium, the closing track, delivers, its a symphonic standout that brings together all the essential elements, orchestration, brutality and atmosphere.
SHADOW OF INTENT continue their trajectory of growth, pushing toward a more aggressive and polished sound. Some of the melodic elements present in earlier records feel a bit more subdued here but the sheer unstoppable force from SHADOW OF INTENT is loud and clear. They prove once again why they remain at the forefront of modern deathcore.
Rating: 9/10
Imperium Delirium is out now via Blood Blast Distribution.
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