Immortal Disfigurement - King (2024)Release ID: 52848
Yet another new addition to the symphonic deathcore scene, Immortal Disfigurement is a band formed by ex-vocalist of Signs of the Swarm and Lorna Shore, CJ McCreery. And this is more than just a band, but pretty much an epic deathcore supergroup! Members of Lorna Shore, A Wake in Providence, Winds of Plague, and Worm Shepherd have gotten together to make this project. While not a lot of people enjoy this, I certainly do, with more of 96% percentage rating. Their debut King can very much be a sequel to CJ's sole album with Lorna Shore, Immortal, and it's not just the fact that the band's name comes that album title and Signs of the Swarm's The Disfigurement of Existence. The similar aspects can be found in the music, such as the symphonics being used whenever necessary, like in the intros, choruses, and climaxes. The lyrics are filled with the dark rage you would expect from CJ's writing, maybe even more so! As for the guitarwork, it is the kind of guitarwork that should attract both deathcore fans and full-on metalheads, with technical riffs and solos. Also, I'm not kidding about the dark rage from CJ. His vocals sound absolutely devastating, especially his growling in the more slamming breakdowns. People may think this man is a monster is an insulting way, but I say he's monstrous in terms of the vocals.
Yeah, I need to address the few elephants in the room: 1. Yes, this is similar to Lorna Shore's Immortal, but it's not a rip-off. He co-wrote that album, and there are several other epic deathcore bands that sound the same but are still enjoyable. 2. This is another case of me separating the art from artist, as I still find a lot for me to like about this band and album, despite CJ's abuse allegations that got him booted from Lorna Shore. Kinda like how I still love As I Lay Dying and Worm Shepherd's new albums despite certain circumstances. 3. I'm going to give the production a benefit of a doubt. The band has released King independently, and not every band sounds the best in their debut or demo. The low-quality-ish debut albums by Shadow of Intent and Mechina are not something people would sh*t on because those bands were new. So why is this a big deal? Well, compare it to the crystalline sound of their non-album single "Dragged Through the Inferno". In this album, the breakdowns and heavier sections sound muddy and unclear. For me, this is why a few percentage points are knocked off from perfection. A remastering should be done at some point, though it's already awesome despite that.
The opening title track has that blend of heaviness and melody I love, including cinematic symphonics. The breakdowns have some of the sickest growls by CJ, maybe any other deathcore vocalist. I think that's proof that they're not a Lorna Shore rip-off. "Force-Fed" has more brutal lyrics, with scathing callouts not too far off from Winds of Plague, "If you think you're safe, you're f***ing wrong!" The breakdown that has that lyric is brutal as f*** and fits with CJ's "take no sh*t from enemies" attitude. "Crimson Vision" really shows the band's Worm Shepherd tendencies.
Next track "Showcase ov Phlegm" really stands out, as the symphonics stay audible yet behind the heavy energy. The breakdowns may be brief but really come out big. The guitar riffing and soloing absolutely rule, and we have a perfect mind-f***ing breakdown. That may be the best highlight here! Striking more with the strings is "Sacrificial Submission" without ever sounding generic. "Home Out of Hell" is another epic yet brutal track, not too far off from both Winds of Plague and early Bleed from Within.
"Painless Execution" combines the deathcore of early Job for a Cowboy with some guitar/keyboard melody borrowed from 3 Inches of Blood and Mercenary. "Into the Fog (Isolation)" has continues the dark heaviness and symphonics of Carnifex and Bleeding Through. "There is No Light" has more of those symphonic keys from Bleeding Through, bleeding into the deathcore of All Shall Perish, Impending Doom, and to a lesser extent, Burnt by the Sun. The final track has the same title as the finale of Lorna Shore's new album, "Forevermore". I prefer Lorna Shore's song though. While Immortal Disfigurement's song is a great way out, I seem to struggle with the ending breakdown that starts with CJ shouting, "Immortal Disfigurement, don't you f***ing forget it, motherf***er!" That section would've been better as a hidden track.
I have nothing to complain about here except for the production and the very end that cost 4 percentage points away from perfection. The uniqueness of this album is overlooked by how similar some things sound. Lorna Shore may have all the fame in symphonic deathcore, but Immortal Disfigurement have grand potential for what's next!
Favorites: "King", "Showcase ov Phlegm", "Home Out of Hell", "Painless Execution", "There is No Light"
