Masters of abrasive screamo Portrayal Of Guilt engineer a new industrial-tinged sound on their fourth record.
Texan underground heroes Portrayal Of Guilt have built a reputation for themselves over the past decade for searing, metallic screamo. Whether it be the slight blackened tint to their debut, or the sludge-imbued heaviness of recent efforts, they’ve always been embedded within that scene, but here they've taken their largest left turn yet on …Beginning Of The End, as they dive into previously untrodden territory and engulf themselves in the claustrophobic world of industrial.
Marking their most unsettling and eery album by some stretch, it opens with a one-two of Backstabber into Human Terror that feels more sinister than emotive, belying their earlier work’s apparent intent. This does not mean to say that it’s an unwelcome change, though. Their new direction marks a line in the sand that could open up their audience and simultaneously give them more room to experiment, with less of a defined sound across their discography to confine them.
Most importantly, it’s also fantastic. Portrayal Of Guilt haven’t ever released a bad record, but this feels like a cut above their usual. Boasting the kind of misanthropy and nihilism usually reserved for black metal’s most downtrodden acts, coupled with the musical ability that has now written four parts in their Chamber Of Misery series – this time featuring Slim Guerilla – means there is plenty to love here for fans new and old. Highlights abound, but the sheer discordant creepiness of Object Of Pain must be noted for listeners.
…Beginning Of The End could be the defining piece of their career up till now. Bridging a number of styles with such effortless ability across a full LP, the sky is the limit for Portrayal Of Guilt.
Verdict: 4/5
For fans of: Deafheaven, Full Of Hell, Chat Pile
…Beginning Of The End is out now via Run For Cover
