Album Review: SURGEON "PETUNIA"
Review by: Drew, Writer @drewspenny_96
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @PlaylistTC
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Deathcore is in an interesting spot in the year 2024. There’s been a resurgence over the past 4 (or 5?) years going on that has been really great for the genre. One thing I’d attribute this to is the increasing importance in the role of the producer. Oftentimes in deathcore, these producers are also band members that write and play the music, but I’d argue that we’re seeing a growth in the role of the producer in this sector of heavy music.
In the case of projects I’m referring to, there’s a noticeable attention to detail that wasn’t always found in this young genre. I’ve noticed arrangements are becoming more calculated and engaging, where the song isn’t just about the guitar riffs or insane vocal stylings or drum patterns that make your head explode, those are all just tools working systematically to serve the song.
SURGEON’s PETUNIA is one of these albums for me, where no one element steals the show but rather all elements feel so in tune with one another to deliver a really intentional experience. If my language has felt too ambiguous up to this point, I’ll be clear that I think this is awesome! I really enjoy this evolution in the genre and while I don’t think every band or project should take this approach, I’m excited for the future of this style of metal.
Take the track “Universe 25” for example. There are several sections where the rhythm feels like it’s stuttering (intentionally, of course) or breaking apart only to sling back together in the next bar with a slow-groove breakdown that feels heavy enough to exceed a weight limit I made up for this joke. The point is, PETUNIA does a good job at balancing out the bludgeoning and the spacing. The subtle synth work on this release is another highlight that does more of the heavy lifting than you’d catch on a first listen. These ethereal textures do so much for the mood and personality this album is pinning you down with. They don’t stick out and grab your attention, but they do help in painting the image of a gray, angry looking sky filled with swirling thick clouds ready to weep.
The guitars are low and thick, likely tuned to a tuning that would make the bass player self conscious about their contributions and importance. All jokes aside, one of the strongest aspects of this release is the low end love in the mix. Like I said, this album feels really HEAVY, and that has a lot to do with the mix being clean but also feeling massive and thicc. The kick drum specifically feels both punchy and full of bass.
I really enjoy every track on this album, I actually think the whole thing works best as a full listen rather than individual tracks. But in this guy’s subjective opinion, this album is back loaded out the ass. My three favorite songs are the final three tracks. They do everything this album does well in each of them. With both “Monopoly” and “Profit // Prophet” featuring stand out vocal hooks that remain in my head more than most of the songs, as well as some mean and unapologetic bludgeoning (great word) sections.
The closing song “Hunger Stones” features my favorite guitar work on the whole album. Used for breakdowns, atmospheric tones, and just straight up ripping riffs that make me imagine an increasingly sweaty drummer trying to keep up the pace. The track crescendos towards the middle and then closes out the album with a somber piano led/synth assisted outro that feels like a Silent Hill requiem of sorts. A really beautiful movement that feels like some semblance of acceptance or release from a headspace filled with negativity and melancholy.
SURGEON’s debut EP delivers a moody, angst filled experience that demonstrates a level of control which makes clear this project has a lot left to say. Look out for more from SURGEON, something tells me this project is only going to get better.
I suppose it’s worth noting that SURGEON is the solo project of Jake Wolf, vocalist of the well established Minnesota deathcore legends Reflections. They’ll be playing Amsterdam Bar and Hall April 12th with openers By The Thousands, In Search Of Solace, Soulkeeper, Waste, & Rot and you should definitely be there.
