Album Review: Despised Icon - Beast

The deathcore tag has been both a milestone and millstone around the neck of its progenitors. Despised Icon were an anomaly within said scene, focused on writing actual songs, not merely seeking to out-brutalise and blast everyone into submission.

Post-hiatus and with many mid-00s Myspace peers defunct, the Canucks possess renewed vigour. Grooves wider than the Grand Canyon a la Obituary and Dying Fetus bolster the material. Inner Demons' dual vocal interplay is scathing, while its beatdowns pulverise. Although there's few new ideas, and pig squeals throughout will polarise, Beast is a snarling, teeth-gnashing creature, an attack streamlined to just a nasty half-hour.