Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Breathing Process, The - Labyrinthian (2021)
You know how much I love epic blackened deathcore, from the likes of Lorna Shore, Mental Cruelty, Worm Shepherd, etc., with songs containing a cauldron of epic melodies, downtuned riffs, and brutal breakdowns. Two genres that I once thought were too much for my taste have come together for something so intriguing. But does anyone know the band that really started it all?
The Breathing Process is the unsung pioneer of this style of deathcore, back in 2008 with their debut In Waking Divinity, alongside Winds of Plague. It was a somewhat rough start, though Odyssey (Un)Dead and Samsara are glorious examples of the sound. And maintaining that perfect streak is one of the best albums of 2021, Labyrinthian!
After the eerie first half-minute of the opening "Terminal", blast beats soar through the darkened skies. The speed has gotten me hooked, and it's not until the breakdown when everything slows down for an intense increase in tension. "Shadow Self" greatly blends the symphonic melodeath of Skyfire and early Starkill with the deathly metalcore of Bleeding Through. Another standout is "Wilt" with its heavy blackened riffing and guest vocals by David Simonich of Signs of the Swarm.
"A Savage Plea" has a beautiful intro and then rises into one of the more savage tracks here. The synth-filled blackened title track would certainly work well for a video game boss battle, and that boss is guest vocalist Jamie Graham (Viscera, ex-Sylosis). Even more blackened is "I Sleep, I Wake", their longest track at over 7 minutes, with the final two being one of the most blackened moments in the entire album. "Heir to None" is more atmospheric, but what's with the samples in the intro? They sound oddly placed and knock a few percentage points off what would've been a 100% rating. Still this song shows the band in divine form.
"Shroud" shrouds the blackened deathcore sound with some melodies borrowed from Still Remains. "Atlas" is also more melodic, almost in Parkway Drive territory, while staying in their usual sound. "We the Drowned" marks yet another epic deathcore album ending with the best climax. The melancholic finale where all the symphonics and heavy chords and melodies rise up once more before collapsing into just sorrowful piano is just beautiful.
All in all, Labyrinthian continues to seal The Breathing Process as the ultimate founder of the melodic symphonic blackened deathcore scene. Everything is mindful and perfect (except for the intro of "Heir to None"). Anyone still listening to those more popular bands of this style, take a break from them and check this band out. For real!
Favorites: "Shadow Self", "Wilt", "Labyrinthian", "I Sleep, I Wake", "We the Drowned"