Hellshock – XXV

Three years ago, the great Hellshock from Portland returned with their sweeping self-titled album, their first in 13 years, revealing a more massive sound that combined their death metal, crust, and above all, stenchcore virtues into a steamroller of crushing compositions and unmatched production. Since then, the band has been fully reactivated with constant touring, and out of this resurgence comes their new LP, simply titled XXV.

The six tracks presented here, spanning a total of 28 minutes, mark a slight sonic turn. For the most part, the Portland band’s new full-length continues along the path of its predecessor, yet adds a stronger sense of melody and elegiac aura, thanks in part to the production of the ever-busy Greg Wilkinson. Contributing heavily to this renewed intensity is the addition of titan Todd Burdette (Tragedy, Nightfell, His Hero Is Gone, etc.). I’m certain that songs like the chilling “Automaton” wouldn’t have taken shape without the shadow of Nightfell looming over them; and, by extension, the triptych of Triptykon, Bolt Thrower, and later-era Tragedy.

Together with Brian Hopper (Detestation, Cut-Throat), they form a stunning guitar duo that delivers addictive, hypnotic themes. “Dead Hands,” whose opening bassline recalls Catharsis, unfolds with subtle synths into a doom epic. Yet if there’s one track that most fully encapsulates the melancholy and gloom of the dust-covered XXV, it’s the transcendental “The Hero Returns.” With neocrust melodies and an old-school death metal breath, it stands as one of the record’s more up-tempo moments, lending a Swordwielder essence that makes it one of the standout tracks of the year within the genre.

The album closes with “Complete Outsider,” a death-doom manifesto whose sharp, flawless leads and solos exude a sense of grandeur. In the end, what remains clear from both XXV and its predecessor is that Hellshock are going through an extremely inspired period. The band that kept the flame of this sound alive two decades ago now returns with effortless intensity and exemplary songwriting. Digging deeper into their compositional approach and the cryptic lyrical references rooted in Celtic Frost, one gets the impression that Hellshock’s studio sessions must be revelatory experiences.

The way each musical theme is ritualistically placed, the way the kick drum embraces the bass with every melody, or how the vocals attack. Everything locks together perfectly, solidly, yet distinctly. Portland’s DIY tradition and its soundtrack for street battles have been intertwined for decades, a relationship once again tested, as this review is being written, by Trump’s decision to send troops there to protect ICE’s racist manhunt—a continuation of his fascist policies. With that gloom in mind, the atmosphere of XXV haunts even more intensely. The battles of the damned of the earth are common, as is their hope. The dust Hellshock raise still lingers, and remains vital.

A Greek version of this review was published in Rocking.gr.