Album Reviews : Boris The Blade – The Human Hive

If you were to describe an album as “a punch in the face, followed by a further roundhouse kick to the cranium, and a swift finishing blow when you’re lying on the ground” then chances are you’d arrive at Boris the Blade’s ‘The Human Hive’. For all those that have caught their punishing live show, and for those who are chomping at the bit to see the carnage first hand on their upcoming headlining national tour, it’s safe to say that the band has captured its live spirit and have barely contained it within their debut studio recording

Boris the Blade describe themselves as “violent, ruthless, Melbourne death” and this doesn’t so much as filter through the album, as strangles the listener and threatens to never let go. With bands that have multiple lineup changes before their debut album is even released, it’s understandable to have doubts about the band’s ability to produce a consistent effort. However, seconds after the snare drum is beaten to a pulp in the beginning of opening track ‘Serpents Crown’, it’s hard to imagine that this pace can be kept up for the whole song, let alone a whole album’s worth. It’s a pleasure to say that; yes, yes it does.

The production on the drums is stellar, and captures the sound of every single kick drum and forces it into the listener’s ears by making them as powerful as the force of an oncoming truck. It’s hard to tear your ears away from focusing on the sheer percussion skill provided by Karl Steller, and make your way through the sonically murderous forest that is the rest of the band, but they undoubtedly make it worth your while. With the rare opportunity of a bassist to truly shine through, the intro of ‘Malevolent’, and during various interludes of deceptive peace, this allows Coby Chatz to produce an aura of menace to rival his thinner stringed counterparts. Guitarists Josh Lording and Cameron Eyre dart across the fretboard throughout the album like their lives depend on it; during ‘Desolation’, they create such a frantic air of danger that it’s hard not to feel as if it does. If there are any doubts as to whether Daniel Sharp is as good at deathcore vocals as he is at tattooing, then it’s as simple as fast forwarding to the 2:19 minute mark on ‘Mortal Procession’ and letting the man speak for himself.

Unfortunately, the trappings of the genre does mean that at certain points of the album, the songs may tend to blend into each other as a cacophony of violent instrumentals and an onslaught of incomprehensible vocals. But if you like your bass drops to be consistently thundering, and your lyrics as dark as the tattoos on the man assaulting you with them, then these criticisms will read as a ‘best of the album’ list.

After building a huge following in their local city of Melbourne, Boris the Blade have unleashed an album that will crush all the naysayers in its wake; it’s hard to believe that this is the band’s debut, but after running the brutal gauntlet, you’ll emerge the other side exhausted and love every moment of it.

Band: Boris The Blade
Album: The Human Hive
Year: 2014
Genre: Deathcore
Label: Siege of Amida Records
Origin: Melbourne, Australia

Tracklisting:

1. Serpents Crown
2. Spawn of Agony
3. Mortal Procession
4. Atrophy
5. Desolation
6. Malevolent
7. Ritual
8. The Human Hive
9. Eternal Ruin
10. Eulogy

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