Review: Lorna Shore, Flesh Coffin

Lorna Shore - Flesh Coffin
9.8/10
iTunes

Lorna Shore is a deathcore group that formed in 2010 out of New Jersey that have certainly made their mark over the past few years with releases such as Psalms and Maleficium. They are back to make even more waves with their new nearly-flawless, crushing album Flesh Coffin that releases the 17th on Interloop Records, but of course if you are as impatient as me, you can stream the new record here (courtesy of Metal Injection). Lorna definitely held true to the more polished and almost blackened feel of Psalms, which makes this record one for the books.

Starting this record off with no mercy, you are immediately greeted by the track “Offering of Fire” which is up there next to “Grimoire” as one of the best deathcore album openers the genre has ever seen. From its pair of breakdowns to the more polished sound from Tom Barber and Austin Archey to the occasionally simple, always melodic riffs from Adam De Micco and Connor Deffley, Lorna Shore is back for another round of heart-pounding and adrenaline-inducing melodies that provide the perfect amount of almost everything you could ever want from a deathcore band. Songs such as “Denounce From The Light” and “The Astral Wake of Time” show the absolute madman Archey is behind a kit, sounding like Arnold shooting his M60 in the one scene from Predator that tears the entire jungle apart. It makes you wonder if the man has eight limbs instead of four. Complete beast mode all around. I don’t exactly know what it is about the intro to “Desolate Veil” that makes it start on such a high note to only continue to get higher throughout the progression of the track, but it’s an insanely well-written track from every angle. De Micco’s riffs are euphoria for all guitar enthusiasts out there, bringing the goosebumps every time you listen to it. The harmony between De Micco and Barber is almost impeccable. “FVNERAL MOON” was the second single released by the band and  still my favorite track. Barber’s lyrics match the much more dark and gloomy state of the music. “Void” and “Infernum” feel like Psalms part two, which is is no way bad, and many people could say the entire album feels that way if they don’t pay close attention. The tracks pay sweet homage to some of the biggest bangers on Psalms, nicely filling the void (get it?). “The//Watcher” shows flawless work from De Micco and Deffley throughout, proving that this band has a strong team all around and is going to be one to make marks in the scene for years and years to come. “Black Hollow” leads into the final track and the title track “Flesh Coffin,” one of the strongest title tracks since Converge’s Jane Doe back in 2001, standing amongst other amazing acts like Operation Cunt Destroyer and Norma Jean.

If you had any sort of doubt in Lorna Shore, put it away and give this album a chance or two. I promise it is bound to stick with you and make a serious impact. This is a major contender for album of the year across many different genres for many people. Archey, Barber, De Micco and Deffley make up one of the greatest acts that you can hear on record and see live in show for the current generation of deathcore. Go support them supporting Carnifex on their North American tour for the next two months and pick up a CD while you're at it. Support these dudes. They more than deserve it.

- Dakota G.