Edge of Desolation

Apallic are a five piece death metal band hailing from Lower Saxony / Germany I only recently stumbled upon. Having been formed in 2014 they released their second full length “Edge of Desolation” in 2021 and while I am not familiar with any of their prior work this one is an instant winner in my books. Consisting of nine cuts and nearly an hour of playing time it comes as a meaty package, with the target audience mainly being fans of the good old Gothenburg sound. That being said Apallic have taken the basics of the formula and have put their own stamp on it to give us something fresh and interesting.

I would not go as far as to confirm the genre definition “progressive” as disclosed here on MA, but the style of Apallic is clearly more sophisticated than what you are going to find in most modern melodic death metal releases. All the classic trademarks are there: Doubled up and huge sounding guitar harmonies, blasting drums, spectacular soloing, catchy hooks and powerful and growly vocals. That being said Apallic are interested in more than firing out blistering assaults from all angles with some of the most intense music you will find in the genre. They have gone one step further by adding additional layers to their music as well as enhancing the songs by expertly drafted build-ups. Slowing things down and weaving calm and beautiful guitar melodies into the middle of some parts can also be found as well as some rhythm shifts and tempo changes and progressions of the main chords of several songs.

After the intro things kick into gear with “Bow to Nothing”, a great hymn and a nice introduction to what Apallic are all about. The song is filled with beautiful melodies and excellent instrumental work. The guitar soloing is absolutely incredible at times, played with both soul and skill. This one is a haunting piece of music that is intense and crushing at the same time. The frenzied attacks are storming, furious and also unpredictable with a volatility that makes every bar of Apallic’s music exciting. The waves of melody and extremity are woven together perfectly, giving something filled with atmosphere and aggression alike.

The remaining tracks keep following with more great ideas, culminating in the more than ten minutes long masterpiece “Solitude”. Punishing groove, fierce attack and gorgeous melodies make up for a worthy conclusion to “Edge of Desolation”. Apallic certainly know how to pack in tons of awesome songwriting, instrumental work and brutal vocals. The production job is more or less flawless, bringing ferocity as well as clarity to the table. The riffs are crunchy and the leads get enough room to present their magic. Also the rhythm section is perfectly mixed. Rounded off by a gorgeous cover Apallic have proven that they surely are a band on the rise.