Gnarlier gear is to be found in the chunky riffs of Comfort From Nothing and Dead Limbs, which bookend Animus, a short sharp shock to compete with Ben’s work in Converge and All Pigs Must Die. On an album not noticeably short on highlights, Filthy Vagabond is perhaps the most addictive moment, all Born To Be Wild lyrical sentiment, hardcore drumming and gang chorus ‘Woah-oh’s. Meanwhile, From A Crowded Wound is the album’s centrepiece, its cosmic prog-sludge stretching out into a seven-minute exploration of intensity and emotion.
These are busy men. Greg has just dropped a solo joint, Soulfly reliably unleash a new album every couple of years, and Mastodon have apparently demoed 30 contenders for their next record. On top of that, with a new Gone Is Gone release imminent, this isn’t even the only late-2020 supergroup activity for Troy. You might think, therefore, that there is no particular reason for Reluctant Hero to exist; that it does, however, is down to the most special impetus of them all. Every note and drumbeat speaks of friends enjoying the freedom to do whatever they damn well want, in the company of musicians and composers whose talents bring out the best in each other. Even amongst such impressive back catalogues, Killer Be Killed have crafted a record which absolutely destroys in its own right.
Verdict: 4/5
For fans of: Mastodon, Deftones, High On Fire
Reluctant Hero is released on November 20 via Nuclear Blast. Order your copy here.
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