Review by Ben for Wake - Thought Form Descent (2022)

Apparently this Canadian band performed grindcore before switching to black metal in recent years. There's certainly an intensity to Thought Form Descent that's suggestive of their background, with roaring vocals and heavy blast beats being major features. Unlike the short burst songwriting of grindcore though, Wake have crafted lengthy, shifting black metal works for this release. It's taken me a while to really appreciate what they're doing, mostly because the guitars are lower in the mix than would be ideal, but I can't deny that this is a solid, impactful album. Bleeding Eyes of the Watcher, the track I included on the recent North playlist, is particularly great, pushing this from a 3.5 to a 4 for me. I'd like to hear more riffs on future releases though, as they're good when they're not hidden behind the onslaught.

2022 RANKING (62 releases so far)

24. Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard - The Harvest - 4 stars

25. Wake - Through Form Descent - 4 stars

26. Bríi - Corpos transparentes - 4 stars

2022 BLACK RANKING (28 releases so far)

9. Wiegedood - There's Always Blood at the End of the Road - 4 stars

10. Wake - Through Form Descent - 4 stars

11. Bríi - Corpos transparentes - 4 stars