We Are Gathered Here Today

What a way to begin the subgenre "deathcore" with this masterful debut from North Carolina metallers, Glass Casket. Apparently, this album has a huge blend of death metal and metalcore which is apparent from every instrument being played, and even some black metal inspiration behind the drums as well.

While "We Are Gathered Here Today" has its death moments, a huge percentage of the album itself is actually very well written metalcore with breakdowns in various songs which lead to the typical downtuned palm muting that hardcore fans and death metalheads alike will enjoy. "WAGHT" even has its technical moments which make the listener wonder if they are listening to Meshuggah back in their glory days. Though still not as technical in their overall sound as bands like Cephalic Carnage, Into the Moat, or Extol on their album "Synergy", indeed, Glass Casket can step up to the plate even with the most extreme metal acts around and hold their heads up with pride that they can create heavy, yet beautiful melodic passages that pummel their way through the minds of the most stringent and hardened metalheads.

The vocals, though not always death-sounding as the title "deathcore inspires, still feel angry and portray the angst the singer tries to convey in his own manner.

Guitarwork and bass on "WAGHT" are awesome and maintain their own style of heaviness throughout the album. For the most part, the riffs are very inventive and dynamic, and do not linger to the point of exhaustion. Yet, they repeat just enough times to make the songs epic.

The drums throughout the entire debut are amazing and about as original as anyone can get. From metalcore to death metal, and even to occasional moments of black metal, the drummer sure has his way upon the structure of Glass Casket's music in its entirety.

"WAGHT" is a must for fans of death metal and metalcore alike, as this debut is definitely about as good as any get.