Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Whitechapel - A New Era of Corruption (2010)
Since their formation, Whitechapel has made some kick-A albums. Their debut The Somatic Defilement kicks off their journey with brutal heaviness. Their sophomore album This is Exile is more diverse and unique than some of the bands they influenced like Impending Doom and Oceano. Further cementing the band's position in the modern metal scene is their perfect 3rd-time charm A New Era of Corruption! The more serious metalheads might hate it, but it's something for me, a Revolution guy, to love.
The music in this album and the previous two help make the band stand out. Why? GUITAR SOLOS, Y'ALL!!! People should stop judging a band by their genre. Deathcore isn't always just replacing solos with breakdowns. Just because not every song in the album has solos, doesn't mean there's none. And there's a f*** lot of them to be found here!
"Devolver" already shows the band's evolution since their previous two albums, and the chorus riff is so unique compared to other deathcore bands that rely on the more generic. The guitar soloing that should level up deathcore's appealing factor appears in "Breeding Violence", a violently pleasant highlight. Next track "The Darkest Day of Man" transforms from mid-tempo groove into fast thrash, even leaning close to melodeath practically reminiscent of The Black Dahlia Murder, while occasionally bouncing into the song's usual slam groove. All of that gives more dynamics to the riffing for more terrifying effect. More bloodthirsty rhythms appear in "Reprogrammed to Hate". It's a more diverse song, especially in the last third, with more of the guitar soloing, a nice small bass solo, and vocal chanting and shrieking by Deftones' Chino Moreno.
The guitars have more variety in "End of Flesh", particularly halfway through when some Latin-like acoustics come in briefly. "Unnerving" is another standout with background keyboards sounding like part of a horror movie. The riffing that appears in "A Future Corrupt" pummels through along with some more soloing, this time by Jason Suecof, a metal guitarist and record producer known for his production work with bands like All That Remains, Trivium, and Chelsea Grin. "Prayer of Mockery" has more of the searing soloing to mock deathcore haters.
There's something mesmerizing about "Murder Sermon", and that would be the soft bridge around two and a half minutes in. It nicely balances out with the guest vocals by The Acacia Strain frontman Vincent Bennett appearing shortly after. "Necromechanical" has one more solo by Jason Suecof. It segues into "Single File to Dehumanization", having soft dark melody before the crushing breakdown the greatest deathcore fans expect from the band. A beautiful acoustic outro closes everything.
Anyone who think Bring Me the Horizon have a more tough-guy image than Whitechapel might have to reconsider that thought. Unworldly growls, apocalyptic lyrics, crushing breakdowns, cool riffing, and a d*mn lot of soloing! What's not tough about all that?! Bring Me the Horizon had already moved out of deathcore and later switched to softer territory. Whitechapel should be convincing enough for metalheads to realize how f***ing heavy this band is. Just ignore the haters and don't expect anything happy and sunny here. A New Era of Corruption is an epic winner in deathcore. Satisfaction guaranteed for fans of the genre!
Favorites: "Devolver", "Breeding Violence", "Reprogrammed to Hate", "Unnerving", "Murder Sermon", "Single File to Dehumanization"