From the upcoming, The Missing Frame (August 22nd), “9.99” hits like a steel toothed engine grinding through concrete. The latest single from Dying Awkward Angel wastes no time in setting a merciless tone with its jagged and relentless riffs. With a rhythm section that seethes and vocals that tear through the song with conviction, the Italian five piece asks the question of what is the cost of human life?
The sonic punishment answers that question with the song’s title. While Dying Awkward Angel may be influenced by classic melodic death metal, with “9.99”, it’s more of a modern death metal meeting cold economic horror as the song looks at the systemic decay and personal disillusionment of a society where the value of life is reduced to nothing more than cost of a meal deal. It’s not just a brutal look or sound, it’s one that is chilling and honest.
Standing tall on a balance of razor sharp riffs and crushing grooves, “9.99” is both cerebral and visceral. The aggression feels familiar, but the band’s tight arrangement and surgical execution make it clear they’re not simply retracing old ground but building something sharper on top of it.
