REVIEW: The New Death Cult release their sophomore album “Super Natural” out on 17 March 2023
Back in February 2020, Finnish metal band Wheel were heading to Nottingham to play on the Beta stage at the iconic Rock City, and in support were this band I hadn’t heard of before, The New Death Cult. Wheel were incredible that night and they’ve been a favourite ever since, but the supporting Norwegian rockers were simply brilliant. Visually a stunning performance, all dressed in black with bandana face masks with skull jaws on them, and each band member sporting different coloured glowing face paint too that lit up under UV lights. Their sound was unique too. Overall, a brilliant night.
Roll on 2 years, and the band have had a make over and are about to release their second album “Super Natural”. Gone is the black / skulls and UV paint, and a more relaxed visual takes it’s place.
The New Death Cult are Jon Vegard Naess (Vocals / Guitar), Eirik Naess (Lead Guitar), Vegard Liverød (Bass) and Anders Langset (Drums). It’s hard to describe their sound by comparison. There’s elements of things like Queens of the Stone Age, Biffy Clyro and Pink Floyd in there, with some lovely bluesy rock and some driving heavy rock riffs. A homage to what’s been before with their own unique sound.
Aesthetically, the band explores a unique melting point where solid ’desert rock’ collide with heavy riffs, ear-tingling melodies and choruses of cosmic grandeur. It has a diverse range and at the same time, a unique sound of modern alternative rock, creating a dynamic and highly captivating listening experience.
The new album has a different feel to their debut release. The album opens with Different / One Blood that would appear to Foo Fighter fans no end. Indeed the first few notes had me expecting a Led Zep, Robert Plant scream…. It’s a great introduction to what’s to come. Soft at times and ferocious at other times, it has a fantastic mix of styles and influences.
There’s a real punk influence to the track Antidote which has a really catchy, nod along feel to it, but with a heaviness and ‘in your face’ feel as the chorus screams out at you. Jon Vegard Naess said the “lyrics were inspired by the Dopesick TV series, reflecting on the polarities between numbness and pain, sickness and health, and ultimately the desire to emotionally feel something as opposed to being numb to everything.”
Next up is another single with Superglue. This one has a more relaxed and melodic feel to it. It certainly has a grunge rock influence with it’s fuzzy melodic guitar parts. Described as a commentary on the paradox of social media, and how it creates a discord between impossible aspirations and our own reality. I saw a quote from bass player Vegard Liverød who said “You’re never going to get this riff out of your head!” He’s so right ! The tracks rhythm pulsates and washes over you in waves.
Slap band in the middle of the album, is latest single Get Ready (Eukaroykes Anthem). This one is a funky and catchy anthem. It certainly has a different vibe from their debut release. There’s a new confidence in their sound and has a real energy to it, giving it that feel good factor.
Probably my favourite track is Shards with it’s pulsing rhythm and stop/start feel, before it’s anthemic chorus kicks in. I could see this being a brilliant live feature in their shows.
The final album track is Alive and what a great ending it is too. Pulsing guitar riffs underpin some gorgeous swirling vocals. A slower one, and a perfect slow down at the end of the album.
The New Death Cult were one of my live show highlights of 2019. They’ve developed and moved on since, creating a new style and aesthetic and the second album is a wonderful mixing pot of styles and influences with heavy rock, grunge, stoner rock with lyrics inspired by love, humanity and inspired by a love for nature and planet earth. The resulting sound stands out from the crowd with an authenticity all of it’s own.
The New Death Cult bring a freshness to the scene with “Super Natural” and already it’s an album I’ve been going back to, to listen to time and time again. There is so much on this album that will work so well live. Moving on from their self-titled debut, The New Death Cult delve into new themes and ideas on this recording whilst retaining their essence and identity. “Super Natural” deals with the different aspects and dualities of nature, both mental and environmental, and is perhaps more introspective when compared to their previous material. It’s an absolutely cracking return and I’ve ordered my copy already ! Well worth a 9.5/10 from LiveWire Music.
You can order the new album HERE.
