Metalcatto
It’s been some time since we checked in on epic comebacks. Not that there have been many this year, but I was hoping Korp could deliver one for us. And Darker it Shall Become has everything, in principle, to succeed at this task. There’s nothing like an album you can’t easily define to do the job. This one is a strange mix of Death, Black, and Thrash Metal that I feared might leave us numb—but you know, the past is always full of disappointment and regret, which is why I approached it cautiously. Sick artwork, though! Let’s do this.
Well, I’m pleasantly surprised by Darker. It shows a band that, despite years of inactivity, can still write exciting songs that remind you why so much of Metal is about danger. It feels like a roller coaster suddenly flying off the rails into oblivion, leaving you to wonder if your insurance company will cover it (laughs in Scandinavian here). Dirty, melodic, but above all focused. The tracks respect your time and patience by not getting overly convoluted.
In a way, Korp demonstrates what old-school Swedish Death Metal would sound like if a band hadn’t drained the life out of its battered guitar pedals. It speaks to a maturity the band has reached. You get nasty vocals that complement a melodic chainsaw riff attack. While they don’t venture too far into experimentation, they deliver a consistently solid performance. The album should sound more retro than it does, but somehow it stays fresh. Am I being too nice? Surely there must be something to complain about, right?
There’s no major flaw here, though perhaps I would’ve liked the tracks to blend less into one another. This odd mix between Spectral Wound and Feral is worth exploring further, but sometimes I was left wondering what would happen if the band pushed toward something more ambitious or pretentious. I know, I know—you’ll say I’m always demanding more instrumental wankery—but I believe Korp could pull off something wilder. On a smaller nitpick, the cymbals do sound a bit thin. Yes, I know, low blow!
Still, this is a better comeback than most. Korp has returned with an album that is more than respectable, bringing hostile and aggressive energy with far more substance than many newer acts. Maybe their years in partial hibernation did them good. Just don’t disappear again—today’s youth could learn a trick or two from Darker it Shall Become.
Label: Grind to Death Records
Release date: September 5, 2025
Website: https://www.facebook.com/korpmetal/
Country: Sweden
Score: 3.5/5.0
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