solid and terrifying style sounds like Chelsea Grin and The Last Ten Seconds of Life had a lovechild, who then eloped with Whitechapel’s The Somatic Defilement. Needless to say, fans of the genre should reach out and get wet for this one.

 

Originally released in 2013, Imperialist’s reissue finds four blisteringly brutal tracks progressing as heavily as possible without coming off as superficial or try-hard. “The Muay Thai Body Obliterator” is the title of the release’s warm-up track, serving as an excellent preview for what is to be expected over the next three songs: pure evil. As the opening bass-line transitions into the violent and chugging main riff, the cookie-cutter structure gives way to guitar djents predictably found in the genre. I sensed a change of vocal pace only during one of the slowest, heaviest breakdowns I’ve ever experienced, very similar to those of chugcore titans TLTSOL and Black Tongue. This track is guaranteed to stir up the pit, but comes off as a tad lazy or formulaic.

 

The second track, however, makes a more dynamic impression. Regardless of the played-out djent sensation starting off, “Condemned” finds itself displaying a menagerie of styles, both vocally and instrumentally. Interestingly enough, this track is also the only one on the album with intelligible lyrics, which is really just one line of “I am the chosen one.” Other than this cleanly spoken declaration, no words that vocalist Mason Blair cyphers can really be deciphered whatsoever. If you can understand what this madman is actually saying while releasing his demons, contact me. Seriously.

 

The EP’s solitary single, “Solipsism,” has been already released for your ears to ignite the taste for blood that will inspire you to buy the EP. Definitely deem this one worthy of a listen, and it’s my favorite track for sure. Plus you could always use a new vocabulary term. Do you even know what solipsism is, bro? (It’s the view or theory that the self is all that can be known to exist.)

 

To wrap up this Christmas gift from Satan, the title track of Imperialist finishes strong with a variety of death metal elements, breakdowns, tempo and pitch changes, and a sort of archaic guitar solo almost reminiscent of Born Of Osiris. “Imperialist” comes to a close with yet another guitar solo (this one more contemporary than the latter) and some impressively coordinated drumming and vox. I really enjoyed this track, but it also made me curious whether the bassist has only one finger, or he’s just really fond of plucking that one note the entire time.

 

Copious performances throughout their home state have worked in conjunction with online media sources to build a befitting reputation for COTC in 2014. Given this traction, 2015 looks very promising. As direct successors to their primary influence -- fellow Utahans Chelsea Grin -- there is no doubt that the best is yet to come for Cries of the Captive. If your brain itches and needs a damn good scratching, pick up the Imperialist EP September 9th. Until then, follow Cries of the Captive on Facebook, Twitter, and ReverbNation.