Levi Meyers, Bill Ferguson, Wallace Huffman, Marlow Deiter and Lowell Winters formed XUL in Vernon, British Columbia, Canada, following in the footsteps of bands such as: Behemoth, Dissection, and Immortal, XUL has left the beaten path to forge their own brand of Blackened Death Metal. An energetic and engaging live performance, overflowing with crushing rhythms seamlessly coalescing into atmospheric passages, accompanied by a storm of punishing percussion and vicious vocal harmonies. XUL has expanded on their previous work with their new release ‘Extinction Necromance‘. Heralding a new age of northern darkness. Songs reminiscent of cold lonely tombs, malevolent intent and predatory nature. XUL captivates audiences like light captivates flies. XUL’s first offering since 2012’s Malignance, ‘Expansion Necromance’ see’s a reverse‐metamorphosis of the band, delving deeper into the maelstrom and the result is truly unsettling. Driven by determination and a diverse accumulation of musical comprehension, XUL has toured Western Canada, sharing the stage with heavyweights including Obscura, Exhumed, Vreid, Kampfar, Woods of Ypres, Macabre, Withered, Cephalic Carnage, Archspire and 3 Inches of Blood. Extinction Necromance looms heavy just beyond the light of day and XUL is determined to build on an already impressive western Canadian following, while firmly setting the rest of Canada in their Crosshairs!
Here is our track-by-track review:
Frozen we Drown
Is typical of black metal with its winding and tormenting rhythms that parade around a raucous riff and squally vocal rampage. Its intensions are clear and impacting! Slowing slightly later in the track it dawdles idly and then picks up speed ripping your face off! The thrilling fret work surges and pumps an exciting rhythmic swagger helped along by raucous battering!
Orbit of Nemesis
An epic track that languishes in haunting voices, squalid keyboard and festering riffs along with a dark and devious gruff vocal edge. Establishing its dominant energy and powerful ferocity these guys simply won’t be messed with!
Also holding strong ambient flavour it whisks up into a frenzy and sets its sights on your soul and will never relinquish it – be prepared to go to battle with the evil forces of XUL you will need more than prayers and crucifixes alone!”
Chaos Requiem
This track just shows off a swagger of nonchalance that is exuded from its jaws of steel. Yes it is chaotic with so much crammed into its melodic core. Turning up the heat it delivers kicking and screaming into the unknown, and rhythmically loaded with intensity and vehemence – it what you would call an epic track!
Summon the Swarm
Slowing down the pace to one of ambient pleasure it winds and twists with an eerie presence and then catches the listener off guard with more harsh brutal riffing and edgy bass. Surely the band, have exceeded their own limits with this track? Thunderously raw it swipes with a claw-like grasp!
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Delving into supreme extremities this five track E.P is sure to leave its mark – so look out for the three claw marks in printed on your body after listening! It may require several attempts of an exorcism before you can shake off its demons. The vocal lures are menacing and forceful while the accompanying swathes of textured black rhythms are exploited to their extremes. Also holding strong ambient flavour it whisks up into a frenzy and sets its sights on your soul and will never relinquish it once in its grasp – be prepared to go into battle with the evil forces of XUL you will need more than prayers and crucifixes alone!
XUL ‘Extinction Necromance’ is to be released 19th May 2015.
