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Left To Suffer are easily amongst the most active and prolific metal bands in recent years, maintaining a constant streak of relentless core ragers, and it is to little surprise that the boys are making loud noise once again. In just three years, they have dropped two killer EPs On Death (2021) and And Dying Forever EP (2022), the truly ferocious LP Feral (2023) as well as the experimental yet brilliant collab EP Noah (2023) with the production veterans at Judge & Jury, and all of that is outside of their charismatic frontman Taylor Barber's numerous side projects and iconic guest appearances. With that track record and busy schedule, it makes perfect sense that Left To Suffer are back once again with a brand new album Leap of Death that cements their name at the forefront of the modern scene.
With a crushing blend of uncompromising deathcore foundation, melodic metalcore influences, hints of nu metal appreciation and general affinity to cross-genre experimentation, Left To Suffer quickly became an act to follow closely on their journey towards the very top of the genre. So far, it has been a wild ride of proving their potential and self-discovery, as well as meeting but also lifting high standards, and the boys have passed all test with flying colours, leaving very little to chance. Fully aware of their abilities and in total control of their releases, the band excels at getting ahead of critics and media, dropping what they want, when they want, in whatever way they see fit, and Leap Of Death sees them shaping their own narrative with eight blistering tracks that once again effortlessly defy audience expectations and stylistic boundaries.
It might be an overused cliche, but Left To Suffer really are a force of nature exuding energy that is uncontainable and infectious. It is impossible not to headbang when listening to their music, same as it is impossible not to go wild when seeimg them live, and Leap of Death gives us eight more newcore bangers to sing along and mosh to. And as usual, they are delivered in collaboration with some of the hottest names across the scene. The band's social game is on point, already boasting team-ups with Lorna Shore, Chelsea Grin, Fit For An Autopsy, Crystal Lake, Alpha Wolf, Ov Sulfur, Signs Of The Swarm and Kim Dracula at their trophy cabinet, and now joinin forces with the likes of Paleface, ten56., Spite, and Alejandro Aranda in a breathtaking and ever-expanding pantheon of modern greats.
The overall work across songwriting, recording and production is also outstanding and having already teased half of the album in promo singles, Leap Of Death starts and ends with familiar ragers, two pairs of trademark Left To Suffer madness at both sides to frame the LP in style. First off, the spectacularly diverse and volatile 'Forever' leads to the frantic 'Lost In The Dark' before introducing some explosive new material in the expectedly intense 'Will It Take My Breathe' and bone-chilling 'Forsaken'. It is hard to ignore the refreshingly different, yet perfectly suitable in this context 'Medicine', boasting cameos by Lil Lotus of all people, as well as the same Aranda that stole the show at the opening and soars once again here. And towards the end, it is the anthemic 'Give Them Death' and the bonecrushing 'Make It Out Alive' that conclude the spectacle with the thunder it deserves.
Although expectedly similar to previous Left To Suffer releases, Leap Of Death still offers a fair share of surprising twists with its rapid change of pace and moods, sudden bursts of energy and deeply moving melodies. It is vulnerable and emotional unlike we have ever seen the band before, without compromising their raw bestial nature, both extremes complementing and accentuating one another instead of aimlessly stealing their power. And this time it is all backed by an even greater attention to production detail, polishing all small nuances to perfection and raising the band's standards to new heights.
Overall, Leap Of Death might not be particularly risky or groundbreaking, but not all releases need to be and for all its predictable instrumental and vocal mastery, it does send the band into mature and confident territories. With extremely hard work and dedication, Left To Suffer passed their debut phase spectacularly, jumping right into headliner reputation and leaving little to luck and fate. The real question here is whether they can keep up with their own standards, but so far everything points to a loud and busy future.
Left To Suffer - 'Leap of Death'
Country: United States
Released: 16 August 2024
Label: Independent
Tracklisting:
1. Forever (ft. Alejandro Aranda)
2. Lost In The Dark (ft. Paleface Swiss)
3. Will It Take My Breath (ft. ten56.)
4. Forsaken
5. Slow Talk
6. Medicine (ft. Lil Lotus, Alejandro Aranda)
7. Give Them Death
8. Make It Out Alive (ft. Darius Tehrani)
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