Prepare to be engulfed in a sonic tempest as Ischemic unleashes their latest album, Condemned to the Breaking Wheel on April 5th. Despite having only four tracks, the album is a relentless onslaught of heaviness, brutality, and aggression, tempered by moments of surprising melody and harmony.
Formed in Toronto in 2012 and having honed their sound over the years, Ischemic is fusion of death and doom and melodic gloom. While their live performances have beencom legendary, translating the energy from stage to studio or vice versa rests on the shoulder of vocalist Isabelle Tazbir as Adam discussed in our recent interview. Recorded at Erb Studio in Waterloo and mastered by Victor Bullok, each track sees the band summon feelings of desolation and darkness through their ferocious intensity.
While each track is its own identity, what I enjoyed is how the seamless flow into another as if one cohesive melodic arch. Their transitions between songs are flawless and each song has its own engaging sound and vibe. From the first blast beat to the final wailing guitar riff, Condemned to the Breaking Wheel exudes a sense of controlled chaos that both invigorates and calms the senses.
Condemned to the Breaking Wheel is merciless and brutally soul crushing.
