Although it's been six years since their disbanding, Advent have picked up right where they left off with their latest release, Pain & Suffering. Adopting the same style of crushing, breakdown-oriented metallic hardcore found on 2009's Naked and Cold, the North Carolina unit have packed their new four-song set to the brim with devastatingly heavy moments.
Opener and de facto title track "Wind from the Valley" establishes the tone for the rest of the EP, with its atmospheric build-up to a cycling breakdown that swings between short bursts of dissonance and repetitive chugging. Advent keep their pacing varied, however, by following with "Weight of the World," which shifts through two-steps and hellishly heavy double-kick sections seamlessly.
The band have no trouble filling the space between breakdowns with punchy and technical riffing and manage to keep things interesting throughout the relatively short set, regardless of the repetitive elements — a feat in and of itself. Advent haven't changed very much about their sound or their approach to heavy music, but Pain & Suffering remains an engaging listen all the same.
(Bridge Nine)Opener and de facto title track "Wind from the Valley" establishes the tone for the rest of the EP, with its atmospheric build-up to a cycling breakdown that swings between short bursts of dissonance and repetitive chugging. Advent keep their pacing varied, however, by following with "Weight of the World," which shifts through two-steps and hellishly heavy double-kick sections seamlessly.
The band have no trouble filling the space between breakdowns with punchy and technical riffing and manage to keep things interesting throughout the relatively short set, regardless of the repetitive elements — a feat in and of itself. Advent haven't changed very much about their sound or their approach to heavy music, but Pain & Suffering remains an engaging listen all the same.