Worselder - 2023 - Redshift

(44:47; Ellie Promotion)






















Track list:
1. Para Bellum 4:56
2. Point of Divergence 4:53
3. Pillars of Smoke 5:17
4. Absurd Heroes 5:12
5. Atheist 5:15
6. The Exoteric Verses 4:39
7. Insurgents (Part 1) 2:01
8. Insurgents (Part 2) 5:54
9. Ascent to Rebirth 6:40

Line-up:
Guillaume Granier - vocals
Jérémie Delattre - guitars
Michel Marcq - drums
Yannick Fernandez - vocals, bass
Yoric Oliveras - guitars


French band Worselder started out back in 2008, and released their first sign of recorded life with a demo back in 2010. Since then they have an EP to their name that was released in 2014, while their full length debut album "Paradigms Lost" appeared in 2017. "Redshift" is the band's second studio production, and was released through French label Ellie Promotion" in February of 2023.

Metal is the style explored by this band, and in this case thrash metal is probably the best manner in which to define and describe the music. In this case we have a band that explore what I'd describe as a European variation of the form though, or perhaps a somewhat more unconventional variety of the style as such.

Most of the songs will typically alternate between several different types of arrangements, and those fond of chugging riff and rhythm parts, impact driven riff and rhythm constructions and galloping displays with a bit more of a power metal orientation will find all of these present, and sequences with more of a groove orientation is a part of the totality too. Occasional detours into territories with a bit more of a metalcore drive is also present and accounted for. But the bread and butter of this album are arrangements with a bit more of a quirky and off kilter drive, featuring quirky riff movements and rhythms that are a bit more expressive than the norm. A band like Coroner does come to mind in that regard, and that Worselder will include a few more atmospheric laden passages rather emphasize that association. That being said, the landscapes explored here tend to be a bit more rough and dirty in sound and execution, with a bit more of a primal spirit in general. The band will also occasionally include elements a bit more off the beaten path than what Coroner did, like the chunky Les Claypool style funk elements on 'Absurd Heroes'.

The vocals come with many different shades and types of forms here too of course, with raspy aggressive snarls and a raspy melodic line of delivery as well as a more clean melodic voice, with the latter two variations also including the use of the classic metal wail style of vocal display when appropriate.

While "Redshift" as an album covers a few different bases, those with an affection for a quirkier and more off kilter style of metal strikes me as the perfect audience for this production. As such, I would imagine that those that find bands such as aforementioned Coroner to be among the more interesting and intriguing bands to investigate should have a similar kind of experience with this production.

Olav M. Björnsen, February 2023

Links:
https://worselder.wixsite.com/main/
http://elliepromotion.com/

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