Tribulation – Hamartia (EP)
Release Date: 7th April 2023
Label: Century Media
Pre-Order/Pre-Save
Genre: Goth, Doom, Black Metal, Heavy Metal, Death Metal, Hard Rock.
FFO: Cloak, Uada, Wormwitch, Wayfarer, Ghost.
Review By: Rick Farley
The shadowy outlaws or outcasts if you will, of Sweden’s death metal scene, Tribulation has always been one step into the gravelike tendencies of doom, and gloom influence. Mixing the macabre with an ever evolving sound that’s based on heavy metal, blackened death, 70s rock, doom metal and goth rock, the band has shaped a potent sound that’s all their own. Instantly recognizable and irresistibly alluring. Facing an unknown with the departure of one of the main songwriters Jonathon Hultén after the release of my personal 2021 AOTY, Where the Gloom becomes Sound. The band starts a new chapter with equally skilled songwriter and guitarist, Joseph Tholl on Hamartia, an EP that will surely make all Tribulation fans breathe a huge sigh of relief.
This twenty-two minute blood offering is a small taste of things to come, but clearly shows the team of long time guitarist Adam Zaars with Joseph is just as venomous as Adam and Jonathon were. The encapsulation of everything diehard fans expect from the band, but with a rejuvenated, sharper, darker sound that will snake its way around you before striking with its poison laced fangs.
Hamartia kicks off the EP with a familiar sounding rhythmic melody in a slight black n roll vibe that swirls around in waves of pitch black, perfectly setting the mood for Johannes Andersson’s raspy growl and lurching bass. The guitars are dark and sneering in places, but also upbeat with a punkish drive that gives way to several guitar leads that set off a classic rock feel, making this track exactly what fans love about the band. Haunting death rock swagger.
Axis Mundi was written by Joseph, which shows why he was chosen as the replacement. Heavy metal influenced dual guitar melodies that slither into straight goth rock verses only to burst into harsher chorus riffs that, combined with the wordy growls, has an undeniable hook that will get your neck moving and fist pumping. It’s yet another masterful blending of these genres that Tribulation does so well, showing the band is once again in perfectly capable hands.
Hemoclysm is a spacey, prog influenced track that swells into heavier riffs with tribalistic pounding drums from Oscar Leander. Epic and doomy, with flourishes of piano passages and synths that really add a dramatic, uneasy flare. Like spirits dancing amongst the living before they turn malevolent, the song feels angry and ominous.
Closing the EP out is cover song, Vengeance (The Pact) originally written by Blue Öyster Cult. The track is an absolute highlight that melds with the band style so well, weaving between moods, tempo’s, and heaviness. One aspect of this cover that I hope makes its way into the bands sound is the little bit of clean singing that adds an extra dimension to the band. It’s fairly close to the original, just with a little extra edge and harsh vocals. Seems like the perfect choice of covers.
For a four song EP, Hamartia really leaves its bite marks, simply in the way of letting fans know all is well in this musty black castle. Charismatic gothic darkness with blackened pop sensibilities and a grimy death metal delivery remains the band’s sound as Sweden’s corpse painted masters of the macabre, hearts still beats strong. 
(4 / 5)
