Nostromo – Bucephale [Things You Might Have Missed 2022]

The onslaught of sound that constitutes Bucephale could be overwhelming. Nostromo lays it on thick, a grind-influenced basic metalcore gallop with thrash and groove for good measure, riffs curb-stomping and pummeling with little reprieve. Revealing that the veteran Swiss quartet options former guitarist Jérôme “Jéjé” Pellegriniand and drummer Maxime Hänsenberger of the famend grindcore outfit Mumakil is sensible, the immediacy and depth infused with Bucephale coming to thoughts. Boasting veteran pedigree, Geneva’s Nostromo was shaped in 1996, breaking apart in 2005 after a good three full-lengths, an EP, and a cut up. Two EP’s into the revival set in 2016, the quartet has not misplaced their contact. But, for all of the pummel, Nostromo will not be a one-trick pony for his or her first full-length in eighteen (!) years.

In an admirable workforce effort, Hänsenberger’s percussion provides a driving mania, bassist Ladislav Agabekov bolsters every punishing rhythm with punishing depth, and vocalist Javier Varela’s rabid barks inject vitriol aplenty, however Jéjé’s riffwork is the true star of the present. Alongside Nostromo grind core, influences of Integrity and Bury Your Useless in bouncy climactic breakdowns, tracks like “IED (Intermittent Explosive Dysfunction)” and “Ship of Fools” are certain to get the top bobbing with cutthroat riffs alongside frantic blasts, whereas the Pantera-inspired grooves of “Lachon Hara” and “In Reward of Betrayal” ooze with swagger amid the incessant grind tempo. You’ll discover your ears bleeding with the down-tuned fretboard abuse of tracks like “Decimatio” and “A Solar Rising West” atop crushing riffs, recalling the bouncy melodeath affect of Killswitch Interact or Unearth. Djent affect appears intent on corrupting tracks like “Per Sona” and “Realm of Mist” with wonky time signatures and rhythms, recalling Meshuggah’s extra punishing moments.

Talking of Meshuggah, the true take a look at of Nostromo’s mettle is their capacity to create really haunting songs that don’t compromise their, uh, integrity. Rhythmically difficult however however infectious, opener “Ship of Fools” introduces the album with ominous plucking, which later kicks right into a punishing groove that dissolves right into a plucky half-time portion that introduces the kickassery. This atmospheric high quality will not be a one-off, thoughts you. Perfected to a pitch-black diploma that remembers Amenra’s Plenty, “κ​α​τ​ά​ϐ​α​σ​ι​ς” and instrumental nearer “Asato Ma” attain a doom-meets-Meshuggah vibe, sporting hauntingly sharp plucking, colossal polyrhythmic riffs, and contemplative tempos that recall a extra atmosphere-forward “Break These Bones Whose Sinews Gave It Movement.” As such, Nostromo’s guitar tone and manufacturing are almost good in Bucephale, including nimble crispness to the grind or metalcore-forward moments, and crushing weight to the slower doom passages.

Whereas “Ship of Fools,” “κ​α​τ​ά​ϐ​α​σ​ι​ς,” and “Asato Ma” present loads of meals for thought, Nostromo’s emphasis on bouncy kickass riffs makes Bucephale enjoyable above all else. An infectious mix of metalcore, grind, groove, and thrash, with simply sufficient contemplation to point out maturity, it’s an album dedicated to the concussion. Whereas rock-solid songwriting reveals the act’s veteran coronary heart pumping, the willingness to steadiness head-banging simplicity with rhythmic complexity and cutthroat vitriol. Screaming together with it can make you horse, however you’ll love each second.

Tracks to Verify Out: ”IED (Intermittent Explosive Dysfunction)” “A Solar Rising West,” “κ​α​τ​ά​ϐ​α​σ​ι​ς”

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