Genre: Death Metal / Deathcore
Album Year: 2013
Location: Central Valley, California
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Bandcamp: Here
Having already performed with massive names like The Black Dahlia Murder, The Faceless, Born of Osiris and Whitechapel, Alighieri are rapidly climbing the ranks – and with the release of their long-awaited EP ‘The Malignant Pulse’ they have a chance to fully showcase their talent and make themselves stand out.
Alighieri mix slow, down temp haunting tracks filled with eerie melodies and almost operatic riffs with fast paced, aggressive, full-on sections jam packed with brutal vocals, hair-raising drum work and guitar tracks capable of providing the soundtrack to the apocalypse…or even inducing it.
The track ‘Slave to Lust’ is a great example of the sorrowful, death-ridden and elegy-like sound this 3-piece can create, utilising mournful guitar tones that Death himself would be proud of. This EP is one of the best examples of outstanding use of guitar pedals and effects to create an original, unique sound that make this band very different from the rest of the scene.
The vocals accompany each track surprisingly well, whether it be the eardrum obliterating pace of ‘A Ravenous Climax’ or the feral tone of ‘Offering Gown’. The vocals are powerful, clear and most importantly of all, fit incredibly well with whatever sound each track employs. High screams are used sparingly, but they are not needed, as the low growls absolutely shine on this EP.
Alighieri are unique in the fact that they can switch between two different sounds – one being a skull-vibrating, fast paced chugging and could hit a most pit harder than a runaway freight train, and the other being a downtrodden, necrotic, murderous tone that sounds oddly orchestral.
The Malignant Pulse is one of the most unique EP’s I’ve heard, and with a sound never seen before on this scene, Alighieri are sure to carve out a maggot-infested niche for themselves. A stellar addition to any death metal library.
Rating: 9.5/10