Dormant Ordeal - Tooth and Nail

Dormant Ordeal is a death metal band from Poland, who formed in 2005.  Their latest release, “Tooth and Nail,” is their fourth full-length album; they have also released three demos.

Although I didn’t review it, the band’s previous album, “The Grand Scheme of Things,” was not only an excellent release but also my first exposure to the band.   Founding member, Radek Kowal, is no longer in the band and it’s interesting that it seems to not have affected the band’s energy at all considering “Tooth and Nail,” is their best album so far. 

First, I want to point out Chason Westmoreland’s drum performance: mind blowing.  I think he’s a session musician instead of an official member but the duo made the right choice to have him provide the drums.  His style is deep, vibrant, and adds a rich fullness to the album that I can’t get enough of.

The production/mix is something that must be commended as well.  While it is crystal clear, and I can see why extreme metal finds may cry at that, it’s also razor sharp and massive—it’s able to contain all the instrument’s extremity and move them around where they fit best.   The bass, guitars, drums, the little nooks and crannies….it’s all on full display here, nothing hidden or needing ear strain to investigate.  

What amuses me most about this album is its variety.  It doesn’t really stick to one style of death metal nor does it skip around so much that it lacks cohesion.  Dormant Ordeal really nails down their songwriting path, and they walk it while picking and choosing what works.  Every choice they  make is the right one because this album consistently fires on all cylinders.

One listen to the first full song, “Halo of Bones,” will confirm they just went into the studio and decided to play what was in their hearts and minds.  The drums explode, setting off a chain reaction that just doesn’t stop. A little dissonance goes a long way, the guitars grasping this notion right before a killer solo cuts through above the underbelly of righteous double bass.  Soon, the band barrels forward with a sound that’s enescable and dense as anything I’ve heard this year.  Maciej Proficz’s vocals are vicious, a constant knife that bludgeons through the framework laid by guitarist/bassist Maciej Nieścioruk.  His playing gets more exciting as the song rages forth, offering more intricate and intense notes that serrate the edge of my ears. 

“Orphans,” displays some post elements, subtle layering of the guitars and bass that act as an atmospheric layer without actually coming off as atmospheric per say—the band is too smart for that, never forgetting the purpose of death metal or their ever changing ideas that don’t let them dwell too long on one thing.   Around the halfway mark, the bass slaps around with the guitars dueling it out to see who can sound the most sinister.  When the vocals join in, this hellish peak reaches its full presence.  The band breaks it back down with a short but sweet melodic lead and helps the transitions back into boiling over yet another edge reached.  That’s another sweet spot of the album: just when you think the band can’t do anymore, they do and challenge the listener to keep going as well. 

“Dust Crown,” is certainly one of the more aggressive songs on the album—in fact, it’s so insane that it sounds surreal.  I have a few different headphones but oftentime review music with my Sony brand ones…they have a lot of bass and the beginning of this song tested their limits.  I like the slightly melancholic riffs that are squeezed in between more techy bouts of riffage.  At the 2:42 mark, an unrelenting hammer of riffs slices the song in half only for the band to methodically build it back up.  It’s a roller coaster ride of pain yet wonder to witness this kind of world building in extreme metal. 

“Against the Dying of the Light,” is one of my favorites on the album.  The guitars are urgent as hell, the song immediately grabbed me.  Chason’s drums threw me around the track and I hit every note and riff that Maciej offered.  This song is a little more dissonant than some of the others but it’s also wrapped up in a package of groove and ultra tight rhythms.  From the 5 minute mark all the way to the end, the song hits a wall of noise made out of screams, growls, leads, and riffs….the band throws everything at their disposal for this song. 

The album ends with “Wije I Mary, Pt.2” an mostly instrumental song that’s a little mini epic.  The soaring leads build off the dissonant rhythms and bass, creating a surprisingly emotional song that ends the album perfectly.  

Dormant Ordeal’s “Tooth and Nail,” is a very impressive release because ever player on the album brings their utmost passion into it.  It’s a passion that translated to me and I’m sure will hit other listeners just as hard.