Truth Corroded - Upon the Warlords Crawl

Release Date: March, 2008
Label: Truth Inc. Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Crown the Apocalypse
2.  The Immolation Seen
3.  Salute the Horrors
4.  Decimate
5.  Buried Alive by Demons
6.  We are Failed
7.  When God is Murder
8.  (Dust)
9.  The Waste That is Their Word
10.  The Disfiguring
11.  Despair Your Black Earth

Total playing time:  45:35

April 21, 2010

Reviewer: Chris

Typically, when I hear the term “metalcore” I am immediately turned off; I know it’s a harsh, snobbish way of dismissing a band and/or genre without benefit of due process, but most of the mallcore I’ve heard is subpar cutting room floor material not fit for production let alone release. In that regard, yes, I am a snob. I also realize now that mall music and hardcore are two entirely different animals. I like my metal to be well-versed, cerebral journeys at times. Other times I like violent music with no point, depending on my mood. In my old age I’m attempting to learn new tricks and broaden my horizons, so at least I’m arriving as opposed to bypassing the bus.

I’ve already been exposed to Hatebreed with some positive results, so when Truth Corroded popped onto the radar I figured I’d give them a shot as well. I was a bit surprised (don’t ask me why) to see they hail from Australia, but when I received the CD and popped it in I was more than a little impressed. The fast, hardcore elements hit me right off and I was immediately drawn into the music. The vocals straight away, while new to my personal taste, are not new to my ears and they sound like much of what I’m used to hearing associated with some hardcore and metal bands (after all, I do remember Napalm Death quite well). It’s nothing new, much of the same from many other bands, but it fits the music well, which is structured chaos of a decent order.

Upon the Warlords Crawl is the band’s third full-on effort, and musically they might well be what you’re used to hearing from most bands of the genre, but the songs are catchy and the production is top-notch (it was overseen by Jonas Kjellgren from Scar Symmetry). While some people might dismiss Simon Durrant’s vocals as a Phil Anselmo clone, how many bands were doing these vocals long before Anselmo saved Pantera from a life of “lick-me-like-an-ice-cream-cone” lyrical shame? The fact is, it’s a viable and fitting style for the music at hand, which is very good hardcore metal for those among us relatively new to the genre or longtime fans looking for much of the same formula they fell in rage with years ago.

The album is a really good experience if you dig this type of music, which I’m finding more to my liking these days. I’ve been lucky to have a couple of good bands exposed to me, which makes the weeding-out and seeking-out processes easier. I’m going to be going back and finding more of Truth Corroded’s other albums and EPs because I find them enjoyable and they make me unashamed of my suppressed violent tendencies. My advice is to give them a shot and see if they also help release those angry feelings after a long day of dealing with the average idiot.    

Standouts are definitely “Decimate,” which makes you want to get up and just smash things at random without regard for the neighbors. “Buried Alive by Demons” is a mix-match of strong melodic passages and hardcore vocal-rummaging throughout. I seriously don’t think you’ll be disappointed; as much as I shied away from the genre I’m glad Upon the Warlords Crawl is a pretty positive experience so my appetite might need further whetting.

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