THE LAST TEN SECONDS OF LIFE
The Dead Ones
2026, Metal Blade
I can’t lie – for the first several attempts at ‘The Dead Ones’ I just could not make it through the whole thing. And, historically, I enjoy THE LAST TEN SECONDS OF LIFE but was not feeling this, at all. Then again deathcore and I only get along in very certain circumstances, of which I am truly not in command of. Wanting to give the album a fair shake and not be jaded from the outset, I did what any self respecting fan would do when faced with uncertainty at new output from an artist: I forgot about it wholesale for about ten days. Absence makes the slams hit harder. Everything old is nu again.
Density is paramount in the type of deathcore that TLSTSOL peddles – it isn’t slam, but so close it’s almost scary. What really shines through in this newest iteration (aside from that baritone guitar once again tuned to Drop F) is that the band has embraced fully the nu metal elements that have been part of the sound since inception, and also a keen mastery of the straight up hardcore elements that sit awkwardly there as well. Just check out the awesome two step banger that is “1-800-DO YOU WANT TO DIE?” Everybody do the crab. Crab, I say. You know what it is.
Elsewhere we see the undeniable marriage between deathcore/slam (henceforth deathslam) and hip hop. “Dollar To A Dime” is goddamn bop. Then there is the matter of guest spots, none shining more than with original vocalist Storm Strope, a voice sorely missed. This is not a knock at current vocalist Tyler Beam, who really shines here – his voice doing everything possible to match the lows of the guitars and bass.
Special mention should be made here for the drumming arrangements present on ‘The Dead Ones’. Not only is Potts playing squarely in the pocket but he is also employing some of the best footwork this side of CRYPTOPSY or ORIGIN. Give the whole of ‘The Dead Ones’ a good and thorough listen and I am sure you will agree – this release is nigh impenetrable.
Will I come back often? Probably not. Is it THE LAST TEN SECONDS OF LIFE still worth a visit? Undoubtedly.
3.0 Out Of 5.0