Review: Intonate – Severed Within

Style: Tech Death (harsh vocals)
Review by: Evan
Country: Canada
Release date: April 16th, 2021

Dear Reader, I have a confession to make. Over the past year, I have fallen deeply in love with dissonant tech death. Fortunately for you, we are not exlusive; this subgenre is polyamorous. You too can join me in my love for music that tries its hardest, and with the utmost technical ability to not to resemble music! And there is no finer way to celebrate the love of this subgenre than to listen to a remarkably strong new offering from Intonate.

Personal feelings aside, it is time to discuss what the album offers stylistically. Intonate have a clear, but intricate recipe. Start off with a large portion Ulcerate/Gorguts style riffing, and some of the atmospheric qualities of both of their later releases as well. Then, add a large helping of standard funeral doom/death doom influence. Finish with a pinch of black/death influence in the form of tremolo picking abuse. Sounds tasty? That’s because it is.

Now that we have our recipe, we can talk about the tracks. There is quite a bit of variety offered. The first two tracks, “Sever” and “Within” pummel you with dissonant riffs, with the exception of a powerful build that closes up the second track. The third track, “Yearn” is heavily meandering, highly atmospheric, and features a few scraps of melody, including an excellent, yet tasteful, solo. “Wander” is more similar to the opening tracks. “Prolong” is loaded with doom influence and features an incredibly eerie second half that layers with acoustic guitars. Overall, the song structures are highly unpredictable, almost seeming random at times, yet still somehow make sense. The atmosphere, through the twists and turns of each track, is pervasive.

Next, onto the performances. This album is heavily guitar centric. The two guitarists carry the mix at virtually all points. Of specific note, and innovatory, is the extended use of memorable tremolo picked riffs within the dissodeath formula. The drumming, while still incredible, seems to play more of a subordinate role, and is not quite as over the top as their peers in Ulcerate. Still, like much tech death, the bass is clearly visible, and contributes well to the sound. The vocal work, while completely unvaried, is suitable to the purposes, and atmosphere, of the album.

For the first time on this site, I actually have nothing bad to say. Intonate spices up the formula of a great genre by adding unique elements of their own, having incredible song-writing skills, being technically skilled musicians, and continuing to do what the genre does best: crushing its listeners in the best way possible.

Recommended tracks: Within, Yearn, Prolong
Recommended for fans of: Ulcerate, Gorguts, Portal
Final verdict: 9/10

Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Facebook | Metal-Archives page

Label: Willowtip – Bandcamp | Website | Facebook

Intonate is:
– Nicola Nucciarone (vocals/guitars)
– Ulysses Fiorito (guitars)
– Jean-Philippe Matte (bass)
– Dominic Nucciarone (drums)