Poison Tongues are here to hit you like a freight train, injecting you with a lethal dose of infectious riffs, earth-shaking percussion, and skull-crushing bass. Hailing from Detroit, these heavy juggernauts aren't here to play—they're here to obliterate. From start to finish, their latest album delivers some of the heaviest, sludgiest, and most brutal sounds you'll ever experience. It's a sonic assault that leaves no room for compromise, and you can feel every ounce of aggression in the music.
One of the most impressive aspects of this album is how the bass takes center stage, almost becoming a character in itself. You don’t just hear it; you feel it—pulsating through your chest with an unrelenting force from track one to the last note. I’ve never encountered a band with a sound this bass-heavy, and it’s absolutely unforgettable. The sheer weight of it, combined with the low-end power, gives this record a menacing presence that few bands manage to capture.
Next up are the drums, and they don’t disappoint. The percussion throughout the album is nothing short of pulverizing. The double kicks hit with such force that they feel like a physical impact, while the snare drum crackles with a sharp, snappy precision that cuts through the mix. It’s a rhythmic barrage that perfectly complements the band's overall sound, adding an extra layer of intensity to every track.
The guitars are equally brutal, heavy, and dense, riffing their way through the album with relentless energy. There are moments where the transitions between riffs can feel a bit awkward, and some of the guitar solos feel a little underdeveloped or misplaced. While these minor inconsistencies don’t ruin the experience, they do leave room for improvement. That said, the rawness of the guitar work is undeniably compelling, giving the album an almost chaotic, untamed feel.
The vocals throughout the album are as dense and heavy as everything else. The vocalist's performance is consistently powerful, but what stands out are the moments where clean vocals come into play. When they hit, they’re effective, adding a contrast to the otherwise harsh delivery. However, there are times when the clean vocals feel a bit off, almost out of place or lacking the same emotional punch as the rest of the performance. Despite this, the overall vocal delivery remains solid, and the lyrics—while not always groundbreaking—fit the album’s mood and themes well.
In the latter half of the record, Poison Tongues begins to experiment more with different sounds and textures. While this exploration is admirable, it doesn’t always come together as seamlessly as it could. Some of these experimental moments feel rushed or underdeveloped, but there's potential in these ideas. The final track, however, stands out as a highlight. It brings together a perfect balance of variety and cohesion, showcasing the band's ability to mix elements and create something unique without losing their core heaviness.
Production-wise, the album has a raw, gritty quality that may not appeal to everyone, but in this case, it works to the band’s advantage. The somewhat lo-fi, rough-around-the-edges production adds a layer of authenticity and aggression, amplifying the album's rough, almost "ignorant" energy. It’s not pristine or polished, but that’s exactly the point—it gives the music a rawness that matches the intensity of the performances.
In the end, Poison Tongues’ album is a relentless barrage of sound, a true testament to their ability to create some of the heaviest, most crushing music around. While there are a few rough spots, particularly in the guitar work and the clean vocal moments, the album’s overall impact is undeniable. If you're a fan of bone-rattling bass, destructive percussion, and riffs that hit like a sledgehammer, this is an album you won’t want to miss.
RATING: 8/10
NOTIABLE TRACKS:
Memory Eternal
Hellbent
Profit Through Entropy
Idle In Oblivion