Album Review: Burden

Aotearoa four-piece death metallers, Teraset have recently released their forth offering, in the form of ten track album Burden, their first new material since 2022s Bones of Contention. Metal fans can get their fix of groove laden death metal across 8 full length songs, plus a shredding anthemic opening and atmospheric closer.

We begin with Dawn, an introduction to the album that lures us in with a menacing yet melodic, hooky guitar piece and climatic build that booms into life, before launching into The Strangling Vine. This track has a constant groove and nonstop double kick (a prevalent feature throughout the album). The double guitar attack of Lee Mallett & Jakob Notton, highlights the contrast and push and pull of the complex rhythmic riffs and discordant lead guitar licks and phrases. The song constantly moves between half time groove and a faster, punchier speed with the vocals incorporating low, mid pitch growls and higher screamed vocal dynamics. The pinch harmonics with the broken double kick patterns are also a highlight.

Title track Burden has a darker toned riff, with Will Stairmand’s drums launching into a blast beat. There is a lot of space between the guitar notes, with bleak vocal melodies bursting from Ralph Broadley, flowing between. The song shifts bpms constantly with crunchy aggressive riffage, like many of these songs, the drums and guitars are so intwined rhythmically, complimenting each other’s pattern. The song also features one of many guitar solos to come, highlighting both guitarists unique and contrasting playing styles.

Corrosion of the Soul starts with a 6/4, swing feel launching into familiar double kick and chugging guitars. This song also features a combo of vocal styles from broken glass high pitched screams and the more traditional lower growls. The final vocal line.. a whispered word. The Sacrificial Sky begins with tribal sounds, an intriguing introduction before the song takes a slight turn with a more stoner metal vibe and step. A rolling bass line sits in the mix surrounded by guitar dissonance and space. The rhythm of the song is broken up by triplet rolls and off beat China cymbal action. Then it gains momentum, with big palm muted riff structures and a faster beat.

Leviathan Arise is a highlight track, beginning with a spooky ethereal horror choir and sounds of the demonic beast from the darkest depths. The song keeps a slower tempo but all the intensity. Leviathan Arise reigns out like a cautious tale, a nightmare storybook telling of the demon beneath the surface, its slow, doomy and moves at the weight of the levitation. From Beyond builds aggressively from the opening riff, one of the faster tracks on the album, it has a ferocity throughout. The lead guitar adds darker tones with drums blasts adding striking touches, then guitar solo, rolling riff, guitar solo. Like thunderous waves, weaving in and out. The song stops to take its breath on a minor note and then the carnage continues.

Dreams Stillborn runs initially at a half time groove, continuously crushing in its wake, with big open chords and leads before the chugs hit. Omega is a faster track with big modern metal riffage, machine gun drumming & tonally fitting growls. Dusk sees us out with a clean, atmospheric outro. It still carries a dark tone but is beautifully written and after nine tracks of brutality, it offers the listener some time to reflect.

Burden offers a modern and defined production sound, not taking away from the musicianship with recording trickery but by enhancing each of the players and their performances. Both guitars consistently compliment the other and the mix is well balanced; the bass sits a lot lower in the pocket but is holding down the fort. The kick drum and tom mix are huge, well required to extenuate the flow and feel of the songs. Burden continues to wave the flag of death metal with the help of some of it sub metal friends, making cameos and adding flair and textures to its already fulfilled and complex sound. Overall, Burden is a solid, well produced and consistent album. While maintaining a direction of groove infused death metal, the added extras in the song intros and the small infusions of metal sub genres from Louisiana sludge metal to doom, elevate the songs further and deliver a solid mix of songs.