Stargazer Scholar
Immortal Bird has developed an especially vicious brand of Death Metal. Seasoned with Black, Sludge, and Crust undertones, its music is as intricate as it is pummeling. That being said, listeners were left to conjecture about the next step in the band’s evolution, as its previous full-length had already reached the respectable age of five. Personally, I was favoring a more progressive, sprawling approach, being an ardent appreciator of the lengthier tracks from the prior releases. You can imagine my surprise, then, when I received the promo for the long-awaited Sin Querencia and discovered that, contrary to my expectations and hopes, Immortal Bird opted for concision.
The album begins with a curveball, as the opener “Bioluminescent Toxins” throws all the elements the band is known for at the unsuspecting listener. A brooding, vaguely unsettling intro slithers into a sludgy riff that accelerates into a full Death Metal assault before shifting to a mid-paced rhythm… What a ride! Rae Amitay gleefully joins the slaughter, delivering every line as if her life depended on it, spewing forth all the pent-up frustration, anger, and sorrow. Her devilish growls fall silent for a brief spell as she treats us to some clean singing, an event unheard of since the band’s early EP. But this is just a temporary lull before the ensuing tempest of shorter tracks.
Surprisingly, modest runtimes do not hinder the adventurous nature of Immortal Bird. Jagged, chaotic, intense, but never stale, Sin Querencia is manifold and relentless. After a few spins, I realized that, despite my worst fears, the desire for a more progressive approach had been covertly granted. It turns out that to be epic, a band doesn’t have to write gargantuan songs. Sin Querencia is a masterclass in dynamics that paradoxically succeeds without dialing down the intensity factor. Every track has its own identity, juggling genres and influences as the band effortlessly slides from hardcore-induced anxiety to swaggering riffs, drenching themselves in Black Metal and indulging heavy Sludge leanings without disrupting the flow. “Propagandized” features melodic guitars intertwined with catchy riffs, “Contrarian Companions” introduces Atmoblack sensibilities, and “Synthetic Alliances” combines frenetic speed with a downright scary doomy outro.
The songwriting is backed by incredible musicianship. Well-known for her multi-instrumentalist skills, Rae focuses on vocals and background keys, allowing her bandmates to fully share in her glory. Matt Korajczyk’s performance behind the kit is exquisite. Ranging from blast beats to smart grooves reminiscent of Mario Duplantier, his playing propels the record to a new level of dynamics and zest. Nate Madden handles his guitar and bass duties equally expertly, and while his riffs proudly exhibit layers of hardcore-infused sludgy ferocity, he is not averse to occasional demonstrations of melody and technicality.
This unstoppable vehicle hits its only true bump in the midsection of “Ocean Endless”, where the brief use of hardcore vocals seems a little out of place. What’s more, I still think that despite the unorthodox structure and explorative nature of its epic opener, the album could benefit from a later monolithic centerpiece, akin to what “Avolition” was for Thrive on Neglect.
Minor nitpicking aside, Sin Querencia is a triumph of extreme Metal: cerebral, imaginative, and uncompromising. It may not be an album for everybody, and it may not be suitable for every mood, but when it hits, it hits hard. Is it the best thing Immortal Bird has ever done? Only time will tell. However, if you all need another five years to write a new record, take your time. With a legacy like that, waiting won’t be much of an issue.
Label: 20 Buck Spin
Release date: 18 October 2024
Website: https://www.facebook.com/immortalbirdband
Country: USA
Score: 4.2/5.0 (Living up to their name. Again)
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