Wetwork
Synod
7.6
Do you find yourself mourning the loss of Death, Carcass, and Chuck Schuldiner on a consistent basis? Do you find yourself answering rhetorical questions? If you answered yes to both, then Wetwork’s third full-length will treat you amicably. Also, lovers of technical ecstasy will be fulfilled by Synod as it unfailingly delivers the technical goods, which rival even the most well-endowed bands.
As mentioned, this record is Wetwork’s junior effort, though it’s their first go-around on a widely known label. The label referred to is none other than Krankenhaus Records: home of the lauded black metallers Woods of Ypres. Here, though, the sound is akin to The Sound of Perseverance-era Death. And, unsurprisingly, the baffling musicianship really takes center stage on Synod and, whether it was intended to or not, it doesn’t cease to be the main attention-grabber. The vocals are a different story, however. For a comparison on those, think of Angela Gossow’s (Arch Enemy) vox lessened by removing the gruffness, which in effect leaves her with wispy, snakelike abilities in the vocal department. If you happen to have a superior comparison, write it down and then flush it, cause I honestly don’t care to hear about it. (A little tough love never hurt anyone.)
Moving on, it’s only fair that Wetwork step in a quagmire or two during the course of the forty-minute Synod. For instance, Parker’s vocals could be construed as a misstep for those inclined to snub their noses at the first sign of nonconformity. So, that’s one element that’ll be sure to split throngs of people. In addition, I believe that the musicianship and songwriting duked it out beforehand, and apparently songwriting left with a black eye, though the latter is nowhere near poor. It’s just simply more bruised and battered.
So…Death and Carcass lovers everywhere should give Wetwork a listen. I’m confident that Synod will sell well in technical circles, but its worth does stretch further than the groups I’ve recommended it to. Pretty cool stuff with room for improvement.
