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Having heard the new Ulcerate album a few times now, it looks like their neighbors to the south in Départe have finally upped the ante. Failure, Subside's atmospheric black/death metal expanse owes as much to Cryptopsy as it does Neurosis, existing somewhere in the middle ground between disgusting, technical brutality and indulgent, experimental atmosphere. Starting off a review with a comparison to what might be considered a "staple" in most diets seems unfair, but sometimes true progression comes with contemporaries when originators refuse to take the proverbial "next step." Départe's concentration on dynamics and technicality as a cohesive unit evoke as much muscular rage as it does more delicate, complex emotion, and the two faces of the Janus that is Failure, Subside are evidence of the band's fearless obsession with progression. The future resides with those who move ahead of others who find complacency in rehashing their own ideas.

Failure, Subside will emerge on October 14 through the venerable Season of Mist. Scroll below for an exclusive listen to the full album and track-by-track commentary from the band.

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From the band:

FULL ALBUM :

Failure, Subside is an exploration of grief, isolation, and loss, shifting seamlessly between states of sheer terror, disquieting serenity, and crushing dissonance. This album was written with a focus on emotional catharsis, lyrical honesty and a thick, suffocating atmosphere. Light and shade, both in the lyrical and musical sense, play a huge part in what we as a band endeavor to accomplish, and I feel like this album captures exactly what we had aimed for right from the beginning.

SEAS OF GLASS :

A relatively brief introduction to the album, 'Seas of Glass' is slow and brooding, building and writhing in its tension, written to flow into the following track.

ASHES IN BLOOM :

'Ashes In Bloom' is a seething, violent offering - the first of its kind on the album. Sliding between cacophonous, droning atmospheres and rhythmic dissonance, and closing on a dense and melodic climax. This song deals with a complete loss of meaning, and calls out for awakening, for a realigning with deeper purpose.

WITHER :

'Wither' is an exploration of our more post-metal leanings. A slow, lumbering behemoth of a track, constructed upon shifting dynamics, expansive build-ups and emotional crescendos. This song speaks of the weakness of death and the radiant joy found in crawling from beneath it's shadow. 'Wither' features the only guest spot on the album - haunting melodic vocals from my sister Emma Dishington.

GRIEF ECHOES (GOLDEN SCARS) :

A jarring recoil into sinister, hypnotic turmoil after the relative calm of 'Wither', 'Grief Echoes (Golden Scars)' musically follows the narrative of the lyrics from undying dread, through reflection and onward into cathartic emotional release. The lyrics deal with guilt, renewal, and rebirth.

MARA'S CHOIR :

'Mara's Choir' is a haunting atmospheric instrumental interlude, a disquieting halt in the midst of the surrounding chaos.

VESSEL :

The earliest written track on the album, 'Vessel' is a visceral reaction to deep-seeded futility, exploring the void of isolation and the release of finding peace in that place of emptiness. It is equal parts dark, crushing and bleak, but in the same breath powerful and emotive, touching on many of the musical and vocal elements found throughout the album.

RUIN :

The closing track, 'Ruin', is one of the slower, more contemplative tracks on the record. It's lyrics speak of being crushed beneath the weight of isolation and terror, and finding solace in it's eventual departure. It is a slow burner, flowing between dense, overwhelming chaos and calm, both beautiful and disquieting in its stillness.

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