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FAITHXTRACTOR
Contempt For A Failed Dimension

Redefining Darkness (2023)
Rating: 7/10

The impressive Cincinnati, Ohio-based duo of Ash Thomas and Zdenka Prado finally makes its return after nearly five years of seeming absence with their fourth full-length output, Contempt For A Failed Dimension.

This opus, although rather short at 24 minutes, was always going to be a winner. Riddled with manic solos, hurtling with hyper drums and cosmically attuned both lyrically and riff wise, this six-track offering is somewhat of a death metal blitzkrieg as opening tirade ‘Vomiting Proclamation’ testifies with its blazing lead work and speedy dynamics, dragged into further otherworldly levels by the throaty growls.

Strangely, even with those layers of complexity throughout, the Faithxtractor experience is never a self-indulgent or bamboozling one. Instead, we are jabbed continuously by an array of clinical, often melodic strands which entwine with segments of brutality.

‘Life Abnegation’ is the two-piece at their most measured and mid-tempo as the riffs hook on to you with some savage delight, but it’s never a case of being shredded by inaccessibility. Meanwhile, the juddering ‘Relative First Occurrence’ swirls with melodious dashes, but darkness and extremity is never sacrificed whichever route the band takes.

Closing track ‘On Every Breath… A Curse’ at first feels a tad messy, but the same could be said for any Faithxtractor song before you really grasp a hold as to what is actually going on. The dynamic duo creates great walls of intricacy and devastation and yet you’re always close to a sneak peak of the musical psyche as those progressive yet slower, reflective moments stream into the ears. And yet through every pleasing snake of drudgery there is a coating of filth cleansed only by those sporadic, beaming solos.

Admittedly, Contempt For A Failed Dimension isn’t without its flaws. The way some of the tracks end is downright bizarre, and in spite of the trickery and intricacy the duo offers there are peculiar moments of repetition. However, Faithxtractor know how to make an impact first time round, and while my interest did wane after a handful of listens this still remains a brash, devious albeit short return.

Neil Arnold

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