Following a series of EPs, namely Crime and Punishment (2015) and Saturnine Depths (2017), Chicago’s Cariosus is set to release their debut album, Will, Until Beauty, on January 12th. This eight-track offering from the melodic death metal band seamlessly intertwines elements of beauty with raw intensity.
On the album, the band says,
“Will, Until Beauty is a thesis on mankind facing its shadow. It is the confrontation of one’s darkness that is necessary to find inner light. In this work, Cariosus navigates the modern psychic landscape that humanity finds itself in- rife with spiritual deprivation, manufactured morality, and performative righteousness that the weakest among us use to hide from our own inner abyss. For both the individual and society as a whole, it is a call to reconcile one’s soul in both light and darkness- to create a consolidated and objective view of Being that is the foundation of true virtue.”
The album masterfully weaves together contrasting elements of beauty and brutality inherent in metal music. Within the same song, Cariosus employs a delicate balance where brutal beats and vocals coexist harmoniously with moments of melodic and captivating tones. This interplay might elude those who perceive metal as mere noise, but to connoisseurs who appreciate its diverse nuances, this duality is a compelling aspect.
In Will, Until Beauty, Cariosus skillfully navigates a sonic landscape that probes deep into the intricacies of the human psyche. Led by Alex Pfister on vocals and bass, alongside Kevin Kryszak on guitar, the duo orchestrates an unyielding torrent of heaviness. Alex’s vocals traverse from depths of infernal fury to the cries of a desolate soul, perfectly complemented by guitar, bass, and drums that echo the emotional spectrum of the lyrics, expressing pain, despair, and empathy in precision. Amidst the harsh vocals, there exists a calibrated precision that breathes life into each track, harmonising within the cacophony of the music to unveil a unique beauty in its intensity.
Will, Until Beauty exposes Cariosus’ melodic intensity and their harmonious interplay of brutal emotion and musical finesse.
MUST LISTEN TRACKS: “Saturn Returns”, “All Too Human”, “Sword of Damocles”
