Desolation as a concept is not an uncommon theme to metal music. Plenty of bands aim to desolate their listeners but there are not many that pull it off as well as Our Place of Worship Is Silence. And on their latest aptly named release, Disavowed, and Left Hopeless, the band continues their streak of bleakness and soul-crushing death metal.
Our Place of Worship is Silence is a two-piece out of Los Angeles, CA and they have been putting out some searing death metal since 2014. Previous records include The Embodiment of Hate and With Inexorable Suffering. Those of you that have been missing out on their sufferingly suffocating sound have some catching up to do after this.
The word “worship” is relevant to both the band’s name (obviously, it is in there) and sound. When one settles up to a record by Our Place of Worship Is Silence, there is a hypnotic quality to what comes out. Something that sounds like a ritual or an exorcism, maybe even both. And this is evident in track after track. The setup for Disavowed, and Left Hopeless is the opener “The Conspiracy Against Cruelty.” A nearly three-minute piece that acts as set up. There are spoken pieces, a guitar riff that moves between melodic and heavy, while the drums speed things up and slow things down. And then “Coven of the Fallen” hits and the punishment truly begins.
And just so you know what you are in for, this is what the band has to say:
"Disavowed, and Left Hopeless is the quintessential transgressive form of Our Place of Worship is Silence. The despairing howls and cacophonous riffs exhale a perilous doctrine that the ravenous rhythms abuse. The words are like a man stricken with leprosy, stranded in an infinite desert, feasting on his own skin and nails. Indulge in and adore this ruthless mockery of all sacredness."
What Our Place of Worship is Silence has truly mastered is that cavernous sound. Something that sounds like its being screamed at the listener as they are lost in a dark cave. The vocals echo and the band’s mammoth sound circles the listener like they are prey. Moreover, the writing is just gnarly. The breakdown in “Coven of the Fallen” is an ugly punch that comes down fist over fist. And once it does back off and the band falls into a more melodic the horror show is far from over.
The balance of melodic, to heavy as hell, to assault is something that the band is damn good at. The track where this is truly showcased is “Fury Divine.” From start to finish, this track is a true skin peeler. The breaks, the melody—it sounds desperate, disturbed, and is wholly ruthless. Other tracks like “The Scourge” and “From The Noisome Pestilence” go especially hard. But really, this whole record lays waste to the senses.
Disavowed, and Left Hopeless is truly, menacingly crushing, but one would expect nothing less on the band’s third full-length. If heavy, air sapping, death metal is something you need, then press play and let Our Place of Worship Is Silence claw at your throat.
Preorder here.
Our Place of Worship Is Silence Bandcamp | Twitter | Instagram | Store
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Photo by Richard Torres
Album artwork by Jon Zig
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