As noted so many times here that even I’m bored of it, humans struggles are at an apex, at least as far as modern times are concerned, and dragging yourself through every day can be a hassle. Or, just quit social media. That has to help a little, right? But you can’t avoid everything, and having an extra shot to get motivation to fight is crucial.

That brings us to “No Place of Warmth,” the third record from Texas-based death metal crushers Frozen Soul, whose music is both scathing and infectious. On this record, the band—vocalist Chad Green, guitarists Michael Munday and Chris Bonner, bassist Samantha Mobley, drummer Matt Dennar—still centers the visual aspects on unforgiving frozen tundra, but the goals of these 11 tracks is to light a fire under those who need a push to battle back. That can be against whatever ails, and for sure the band takes aim at oppressive power structures trying to devour democracy. They also have some notable guests on this record, who we’ll discuss later, who might lure listeners from other camps.   

The title track opens with keys shimmering, leads opening, and the growls smearing, trudging with a calculated pace. Leads simmer and grow doomy, My Chemical Romance’s Gerard Way howling, sounding more like he did on that band’s earlier work, muddy power and doom bells ending. “Invoke War” features Rob Flynn from Machine Head, and roars and pummeling fury floods, deal leads burn, and the savagery mounts, words spat through gritted teeth. The playing takes on a hardcore feel, nasty and mean, the title wailed over and over again. “Absolute Zero” is a brief blast that lashes against ICE and authoritarianism, and you don’t have to waste much time burning those institutions when you have this 53-second destroyer that blazes with righteous anger. “Dreadnought” has an engine firing before thick bass work sprawls, driving through the mud, Green howling, “You can’t stop the dreadnought!” Atmospheric soloing emerges before mauling death reclaims the lead, battering to a finish. “Chaos Will Reign” fires with hardcore jolts, smothering with monstrous growls, thrashing into a thick fury. Fiery playing continues to char, Green belts the title over the chorus (always good for an easy live callback), and everything comes to a gurgling end.

“Eyes of Despair” has a fast start, the leads electrifying, the tempo punishing with little mercy. A sinewy breakdown mashes skulls as the bruising makes your face swell in horrifying fashion. “Ethereal Dreams” is eerie, drums encircling, the song breaking open as mashing drums and furious leads unite. The heat amplifies dangerously as the vocals hiss, guitars fire, and the tempo guts with violent intent. “Skinned by the Wind” opens with a quote from the film, “Lost in the Barrens” that pays off their frostbitten tendencies, and then it’s all-out war, brawling and dicing into “DEATHWEAVER” that also hangs in a doomy pall. The playing is heavy and sticky, guitars glistening before destroying, grisly growls sinking teeth into throats. The back half is scathing and brutal, down-tuned horrors suffocating, fading into dust. “Frost Forged” emerges from the void, feeling like water is draining from your ear canals, and then deep growls and ferocity pave the way for slow-driving death. Leads swarm as the power cuts through muscle, a beastly final push draining color from faces. Closer “Killin Time (Until it’s Time to Kill)” is a fun one, punchy playing leveling, Green wailing, “Born to chill but bred to kill.” The pace smokes as leads glimmer, the bass chugs hard, and the fiery chorus entangles, giving off one more blast for good, deadly measure.

“No Place of Warmth” is another solid entry in the Frozen Soul catalog, and while the numerous collaborators might make some worry about this band shedding identity, that never comes close to happening. The added faces help enhance what’s already a solid album by giving their own flourishes, but had they not appeared on this record, it wouldn’t suffer one bit. This is fun, furious, channeled death metal that wears brutality on its sleeve but isn’t afraid to function as an outlet for letting off a little steam. And fuck ICE. 

For more on the band, go here: https://www.frozensoultx.com/

To buy the album (U.S.), go here: https://centurymedia.store/pages/frozen-soul-no-place-of-warmth

Or here (Europe): https://www.cmdistro.de/

For more on the label, go here: https://www.centurymedia.com/