Having impressive festivals under their belt like Bloodstock Open Air and UK Tech-Fest, To Obey a Tyrant have become a force to be reckoned with in the UK deathcore scene. Sharing the familiar symphonic and devastating sounds of their debut album ‘Omnimalevolent’ back in 2022, their upcoming EP ‘Frigore Inferni’ offers a more sinister take on their signature style with darker, intensified vocals and an eerie, battlefield-ready atmosphere.
‘Frigore Inferni’ - meaning ‘Freezing Hell’ in Latin - is brutal, dark and cohesive. It tells the story of two enigmatic beings plunging the Earth into a frozen, icy apocalypse, and the cruelty that ensues. It features no shortage of creative breakdowns, unrelenting heavy beats and dramatic riffs, offering exactly what deathcore fans crave.
It begins with ‘I, Apollyon’, which is an eerie introduction. Starting with grand brass melodies and a dramatic choir before being suddenly struck with Brandon’s intense squeals, it successfully sets the tone for the rest of the journey as something epic. Towards the middle of this song, the pace is slowed down, and layered vocals combining shrill shrieks and guttural growls makes this feel like a conversation between the two entities. This intensity tapers off, leading us gently into ‘Obsidian Sol’. There are large changes in tempo throughout this track, making it very expressive but a little hard to figure out where it’s going at times. To keep us on track, there is a regal melody on guitar in the back, and it culminates in a sharp final slide-up before a sudden stop.
Next, ‘Dawnbreaker’ offers a pitstop, with a downtempo beat almost reminiscent of elements of other deathcore bands such as Left Behind or Barrier. However, in stark contrast to this, the screams are the most impressive and impactful, and perfectly punctuate the measured rhythm. This is then followed by ‘Frigore Inferni’, the title track. It embraces a dark and orchestral tone, and continues on from the same slow tempo as the previous track. The intensity is built slowly and gradually, creating the sense that we’re reaching the height of this EP, which is apt for the position of this song in the tracklist. With choral voices ringing out right before a dramatic breakdown, it is safe to say that this is exactly what we come to this band for.
‘Prince Ov Death’ features a repetitive melody, with satisfying trills in the background building anticipation. A powerful, mid-track breakdown combined with the unyielding shrieks keep the energy high to lead us seamlessly into the finale, and what a finale it is! ‘Winter’s Rite’, is a rapid and dramatic conclusion to the EP, holding no punches and getting straight down to business. The track is full of the fast tremolo picking that is typical of the genre, as well as shrieks layered with a choir in the back. All of this put together creates a cinematic sound and a cathartic feel to the song. The breakdowns feel the most dramatic in this song, creating an ominous sense of finality. An ascending sequence of notes, culminating in a slow and reflective piano piece, delivers a rounded and satisfying ending akin to a sonic manifestation of death.
This excellent EP feels right at home amongst the rest of their discography, highlighting their talent for storytelling through music. Those of you that are fans of brutal vocals as well as an intense listening experience but haven’t delved into this band yet should not give this a miss. Admirers of their previous work are also in luck, as it provides an intensified evolution of their sound. If they keep releasing epic narratives like this, To Obey a Tyrant has an exciting future within the blackened and symphonic deathcore scene waiting for them, and we hope to catch them on tour soon.
'Frigore Inferni' will be released on February 21st via Seek and Strike Records.
Words: Chloe Sodeau
Photos: To Obey A Tyrant
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