Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Whitechapel - Hymns in Dissonance (2025)

The Valley and Kin were a different stylistic affair from the deathcore sound Whitechapel is known for. That's actually what I like about some deathcore bands, when they make their sound more than just that genre. Of course, I also enjoy their more brutal earlier albums that I wouldn't have the leeway to listen to like 10 years ago. The quality for that sound ended up dropping in the mid-2010s. But now they're back in their earlier form, cranking up their speed and heaviness in new album Hymns in Dissonance.

There's nothing but ferocious brutality and the occasional thrashy chaos and groove breakdowns, and maybe a few cooldowns. It even sounds massive with the guitar trio performing in superb synergy. Get ready for a pulverizing experience like no other!

Ominous melody starts "Prisoner 666" before firing up in reckless chaos. But it's the title track that really stands out amongst the rest. The chorus name-drops several of their earlier songs, and the breakdowns sound almost as djenty as Meshuggah while staying brutal. Their roots really are back! After "Diabolical Slumber" begins soft and eerie, it straight away blasts through as usual. Another brutal yet memorable is the crushing "A Visceral Retch".

"Ex Inferis" is an unnecessary interlude, but not too bothersome. "Hate Cult Ritual" is another memorable track to get the crowd moshing. "The Abysmal Gospel" is much more intense. Anyone complaining about modern deathcore not having the right kind of brutality, wake up and hear that "gospel"!

"Bedlam" is another heavy Meshuggah-ish track in the riffing. Then we get to the epic climax of the album, beginning with "Mammoth God" which has cleaner melody while staying ultra-heavy. "Nothing is Coming for Any of Us" has strong atmosphere to go with the brutality. The mixing rules as the drums, bass, and guitars drop down like falling bricks, allowing you to hear the riff-wrath deathcore fans really want.

Hymns in Dissonance isn't entirely perfect due to that odd interlude, but the album has potential to be a deathcore classic for generations to come. It just might make my top 10 albums of 2025 so far. Whitechapel are back to their old savage ways!

Favorites: "Hymns in Dissonance", "A Visceral Retch", "Hate Cult Ritual", "The Abysmal Gospel", "Nothing is Coming for Any of Us"