All Shall Perish - Hate . Malice . Revenge (2003)^{Release ID: 5448}

All Shall Perish first released their debut Hate Malice Revenge in 2003 via Amputated Vein, a small record label in Japan. Then two years later, the album was re-released via the more popular metal label Nuclear Blast. This isn't the metalcore ground I was staying firmly planted in, this is g****mn vicious deathcore!

See, I was once focused on the modern metal of Trivium and Lamb of God, but I've recently gained the leeway to explore something more brutal. A genre that combines the aspects of those two bands with the death metal of Dying Fetus and the Black Dahlia Murder. All Shall Perish mixes the breakdowns from hardcore with pulverizing guitar rhythm, rapid drumming, and a monstrous vocal range of growls and screams. This album is filled with relentless deathcore devastation, sounding memorable and catchy.

The intense yet short "Deconstruction" begins the album with an incredible blend of punishing rhythms, searing guitars, and hyper-fast blast-beats. And the great intensity doesn't stop from there, continuing and increasing throughout. Next one "Laid To Rest" bludgeons listeners with deep breakdowns and severely all-over-the-place drumming, way more brutal than Lamb of God's song "Laid to Rest". Slowing things down is "Our Own Grave", a menacing track with crushing riffs. There's almost a sludgy vibe, but the occasional speed gives the track more variation.

Next up, "The Spreading Disease" can be considered a bridge between that Spread the Disease album I've listened to and the earlier Lorna Shore EPs. "Sever the Memory" is another perfect bridge between the prototypical and the modern, from Eighteen Visions' 90s era to Veil of Maya's 2000s era. "For Far Too Long" fires their occasionally slower brutal sound like cannons at war.

"Never Ending War" is a thunderous highlight, a 6 and a half minute epic of powerful chords and leads, not to mention the earthquake-including breakdowns. The last track "Hearing The Brainwashed" has the potential to hook you up with lacerating leads.

All Shall Perish really should've had more innovative fame than Dying Fetus, but not many of the heavier metalheads are as eager to walk the blazing deathcore trail as I am. Hate Malice Revenge has that interesting technical heaviness of crushing Hell that has satisfied me much more than it would have 5 years ago. The more brutal fans should really try this album before they judge. Even the most serious listener will smile at this ground-shaker!

Favorites: "Deconstruction", "The Spreading Disease", "Sever the Memory", "Never Ending War"