V Pathogenesis

V play a brand of post-metal tied specifically to the mid ’00’s, before the genre became a reverb and delay swamp and the music was still linked to hardcore’s dryness. This is only natural, as V, themselves, are a product of that era, having released only a single EP prior to their upcoming Pathogenesis, whose title track is streaming exclusively below.

“Pathogenesis” is a clear upgrade on the sound of VI sonically, more natural and tasteful in its use of effects. This more sparing approach makes their heavily echoed vocals “pop out” more, especially when compared to standoffish post-metal bands of the past might have found comfortable. It makes a great deal of sense that the band’s members have done stints in Katatonia and In Mourning, two bands which had no problem adding dramatic flourishes to slow paced metal. If their music is the wooden walls of the record, their voices are its ghosts crying out through the cracks.

Despite this gothic tone, the band excels more at a sense of general unease than indulgent despair. “Pathogenesis” ends loudly, but its restrained midsection is the “sweet spot.” While the watery lead guitar floats in and out, the rhythm section plays like it has its guard up in a darkened room, moving carefully until harsh vocals roar back into the frame. Once that voice, promising to be disease personified, pulls away, the band fall into a wide open quarter time. It’s a move that eats the song from the inside out leaving gaping holes. Elsewhere on the record, V allow themselves to at least sound hopeful, but here the ending is pointed: the disease will win.

Pathogenesis comes out on November 8th via Suicide Records.

01. Souls Of The Nearly Departed (08:17)
02. Pathogenesis (05:29)
03. At The End Of Your Time (06:37)
04. Perfect Predator Pattern (06:03)
05. Suspended Animation (06:11)
06. The Order (09:18)