“Gold” is a greater than applicable time period for Scour‘s latest launch on Nuclear Blast data, as a result of that is report is simply completely stuffed with it. An absolute black metallic masterpiece from an American supergroup. This latest LP from Phil Anselmo and firm is an early contender for finest report of the 12 months, not simply within the black metallic class however in excessive metallic total.
“Blades,” the second single off the report, you’d swear got here straight from Western Norway. The dueling tremolo guitars by the hands of Mark Kloeppel (Misery Index, Cast The Stone) and Derek Engemann (Philip H. Anselmo and the Illegals, Cast The Stone, ex-Cattle Decapitation) present a chilling, but acquainted soundscape to these of us who grew up appreciating the signature Scandinavian model of alternate choosing. Comparable sonics are discovered on “Coin,” in addition to “Evil,” which additionally brings in a very hefty layered wall of sound with the guitars.
Whereas the spine of Scour is, indubitably, black metallic, what makes Gold notably attention-grabbing are the little parts of dying and grind that the band throws in right here and there. There may be particularly obvious on “Infusorium.” Scour honors their black metallic roots, but takes the music ahead right into a more energizing, fashionable sound.
Tracks like “Invoke” will evoke a smile or two with their intentionally excessive 90’s-inspired black metallic lyrics, with strains like, “Invoke the Grasp’s goat. All hail Devil! Be at one with hell. Give the physique to Devil!”
Brothers John Jarvis (Agoraphobic Nosebleed, All Will Fall, ex-Pig Destroyer) and Adam Jarvis (Misery Index, Lock Up, Pig Destroyer) put collectively a downright brutally vicious set of tracks to comprise the take-no-prisoners rhythm part, however with the Jarvis’ you would not anticipate something much less. Gary Holt from Slayer and Exodus additionally company on a solo.
Recorded in 2023 and 2024, the LP sounds nice when it comes to the combination, which was crafted by Dennis Israel. It was mastered, appropriately, in Sweden by Jens Bogren. Whereas the report would not function a very vibrant listening expertise, I am glad that the band did not select to go the lo-fi route that so many black metallic bands have been striving for. General it is a should purchase, no-doubter!
