Tapewyrm - Rites of Passage

There are some people who like to frolic in fields of flowers and go, "Tra-la-la-la-la" as their feet keep up dirt from the ground. Holding hands with their loved one, they smile gleefully as the beautiful sun beats down on their day and gives off comforting warmth. But, then again, there are also those who would do anything to completely destroy the two happy ones' outing and dissolve their day into sheer misery and mechanical debauchery. As this person, this cave dwelling purger of all things bright comes crawling from his den to wreck havoc and make the guts of the delighted pour from their bodies, there is only one album of noise and pain I can imagine taking prominence over all others. And that would be Tapewyrm's latest outing, Rites of Passage.

It was back in 2013 that Tapewyrm released his last EP, House of Cards, but then there was a long pause of silence. Though updates and other such news clippings were posted throughout online communications, the audience was left with eager anticipation as to what raw material would hit next. In just two days on the 27th, all of you will be able to find out.

Rites of Passage shall be available to everyone on the date stated above via Bandcamp, and this time he's doing it via his own passion and without a label. Seven tracks of sheer chaos and ear splintering rhythmic onslaughts are brought my way, and I'm all for loving each and every single ballad that cranks out of this release.

For those of you looking for the classic sound that Tapewyrm has surrounded himself with, proceed to listen to Exorcism, a nearly eight minute track that has the riveting drum pounding, static noise driven base that the artist has solidified himself in. The Beast Unleashed and The Beast Within also contain stellar sounds that are rapid fire at points, but still hold onto the old.

However, progression is the key to success, and Tapewyrm has done an amazing job at showcasing newer sounds. Hypnos actually paves way for a clearer sound, reducing the noise wall thrown up in every other song. Invocation has a slight hum to it behind all the blasting beats, and though it may be hard to hear at certain points, it is nonetheless magical all in the same.

Sacrament actually appeared on Two Years And Going Strong! from Juggernaut Music Group when that was still alive. To state my thoughts once again, a Hellfire of Unholy cleansing water was doused over this track and released unto the masses.Great stuff. And, the final song on the album, The Rite, starts off with a lethal dose of heavy noise, and only proceeds to get louder and louder as the minutes go by.

The sheer adrenaline rush of brutal noise that passed through my skull as I hunkered down and listened was absolutely beautiful and macabre. Be on the lookout for this album; it will be available digitally on the 27th, with physical hard copies soon to follow. Mar 25 2015