Review by UnhinderedbyTalent for Xoth - Interdimensional Invocations (2019)

Xoth fire straight into their particular construct of technical, thrashing death metal with an assorted assault of blackened riffs on album opener Casting the Sigil.  It's a strong opener that leaves you in no doubt of the intention of the rest of the record.  From the off, energy levels are high, leads and licks stack up aplenty and there's a tongue pressing into a cheek as well one feels.

There's inevitable comparisons with Vektor here with the bold and expansive riffs and technical wizardry on display but the death metal elements of Xoth's sound make the band feel a little more fun than their progressive counterparts.  There's elements of Absu here also (only again much more fun than them) as well as more modern references like Revocation also.

Everything sounds really clear in the mix, with former Warbringer man Ben Bennett's bass darting off on little runs here and there to let the listener know there's room for more than just the twin guitar attack of Tyler Splurgis and Woody Adler.  Although Tyler does the majority of the vocals, Woody chips in pretty regularly also giving an element of variety, although at times the vocals feel a bit clunky and forced.  Meanwhile, back on the drum stool, Jeremy Salvo does his surname proud on the skins displaying blistering pace and solid bashing in equal parts.

The hi-octane nature of the album is a tad exhausting with track after track of back to back intensity and I did find myself looking for some respite that never comes and this feels like it is the main weakness of the record.  Whilst I get that with a title such as Interdimensional Invocations this is not an album with much chance of a power ballad there is still some element of change missing in terms of song writing and structure because everything is so face-melting in delivery and you almost want to just have some breathing space to take stock.

For next time around Xoth need to learn when a more measured approach is appropriate to add depth and variety to their recorded output as this forty minute album feels like a twenty minute single track broken up by dramatic pauses.