Alluvial // Death Is But A Door
Alluvial is one of my favorite new bands. They put out an instrumental album in 2017 and really started gaining steam after adding a vocalist and releasing ‘Sarcoma’ in 2021.
This EP builds on their grim sound, combining a sludgy atmosphere with tight grooves and interesting rhythmic sections. Best described as progressive metal, Alluvial incorporates death metal, deathcore, and intricate time signatures to create a unique sound.
The vocals are rather straight forward, but surprisingly, I really like the lack of variety. There are a few low screams, but for the most part, powerful mids reign supreme. There’s no attempt to be flashy or impress – Alluvial has identified their calling and they excel at it.
“Bog Dweller” and “Fogbelt” are excellent songs. The title track is even more interesting though because it’s slower, has singing, and feels a bit more human. Tapping into their melodic side was a huge win. They did a great job exploring the tension between soft sorrow and crippling defeat.
