SICKROOM – The Dualism

The Spanish death metal outfit bearing the fitting name of Sickroom recently released this 6-song EP of theirs entitled "The Dualism" via Blood Fire Death. Boasting a dark and punishing sound, the EP kicks off with the crushing and catchy "Rivers of Blood" and ends with the pummeling "Xalera Fosca".

While "The Dualism" is primarily rooted in death metal with a certain melodic flair to it, some modern (and dare I say metalcore-like) elements also creep into the mix, but they actually add some variety to the proceedings. Lots of groovy sections come and go while the vocalist, Vila, attacks every damn syllable in an aggressive and pissed-off manner. The one song that truly stands out is "Red Eclipse" due to its great melodies, cool twists, and overpowering vocals. It even sounds a bit epic towards the end.

The musicians definitely know how to handle their instruments properly and there are a lot of well-crafted riffs and parts that work really well within the larger context, but there is still a long way to go if they are ever to reach the level of At the Gates, Whitechapel, and similar bands that the members of Sickroom are clearly inspired by. Still, "The Dualism" is a solid offering that most fans of (modern) death metal will probably find entertaining and suitably intense enough to satisfy their most basic needs. It will be interesting to see what this five-piece will come up with in the future.

https://sickroomdeath.bandcamp.com/