by Jonathan Bannister (@j_utah)
It feels like metal is needed now more than ever. The power and aggression work to drown out the chaos in our world. There are few better release valves for the pressure that builds up inside than to get a great metal album, crank it till it hurts, and go hog wild. “Dig deep and destroy yourself” Max Klebanoff growls on album opener “Beg for Life”. Over the next 40 minutes you can do just that. Planetary Clairvoyance is the band’s most interesting, layered, and tightest album to date. It’s a bright light in a slew of killer death metal records in 2019. One you’ll find yourself returning to again and again.
Tomb Mold’s horror cred is strong (their recent band photo has them standing in front of the Cathedral of the Transfiguration, a church featured in John Carpenter’s In the Mouth of Madness) but their interests seem more otherworldly this go around. Aliens, dimensions, and astral planes inhabit the lyrics. I won’t pretend to pick-up on the nods to death metal bands of old. I frankly wouldn’t know. What I do know is Planetary feels more aggressive and direct to me than last year’s awesome Manor of Infinite Forms. While that album had hints of doom, this one has no time for wallowing in the murk, except on instrumental “Phosphorene Ultimate”. Guitarists Derrick Vella and Payson Power drive through their riff progressions like they’re being chased. Klebanoff’s drum patterns on the same level, weaving in and out of the guitar lines, rarely staying on a straight up blast beat.
Highlights abound on the album. The last 1:15 of the title track where they just hang out on a riff, riding that groove to a head bangers delight. The middle section of “Infinite Resurrection” when it slows down and breathes. The drumming on “Cerulean Salvation” with it’s uniqueness and intricacy. It might be frequently one speed but it’s never boring, taking interesting turns, keeping the listener on their toes. It’s a little frightening the pace that Tomb Mold are putting out albums. At this rate they’ll long evolve us before we can even handle what they’re ready to dish out. It’s an album that rewards repeat listens, showing you more of itself in the nooks and crannies of your listening range. It’ll challenge and wear you out, but like any good workout, you’ll come away stronger.