More than five years ago I reviewed Lorna Shore‘s “Immortal”. Since then Will Ramos stepped in as vocalist and the band has risen to great heights and played larger and larger venues. Together with a lot of exposure on social media they build op a vast discography aiming for the top of the genre. And deservedly so. I have witnessed them in 013, Tilburg this year and the show was superb. Now, their latest offspring “I Feel The Everblack Festering In Me” is released to wreak havoc. And it does not disappoint at all.
Let’s get one thing clear: I am not a big fan of Deathcore. I will never will be. Especially the constant hooks and breaks and rather generic structure of compositions make it a genre which I seldom listen. But Lorna Shore has a certain something which I really like. The symphonic elements remind me of Dimmu Borgir and has a sense of grandeur mixed with an epic feeling which touches my black soul. And their latest album is no exception.
Ok, at times I find the music a bit to eclectic for my taste and the constant hooks an breaks get me over stimulated sometimes. A bit more space to let the music flow and some air in the songs to catch a breath would be welcome. But hey! I am becoming an old fart and this simply is my preference. Doesn’t mean that this album is a constant treat (or should I say threat?) on your eardrums.
Once again we are treated upon the great vocals of Will Ramos. He sings, screams, grunts and is one of the best vocalists in the extreme genre, not to mention the enormous diversity of his vocal range. But don’t forget Adam De Micco (guitars), the orchestration and synthesizers of Andrew O’Conner and rhythm section of Austin Archey (drums) and Mike Yager (bass/background vocals).
They provide an intriguing pallet of breakdowns, hooks and breaks and epic orchestrations. This all blends in a concoction which has more than plenty to offer for (almost) every extreme metal fan around (hence the popularity of this band). The compositions are a pinch more refined than before and carry more weight than ever before.
Opener “Prison of Flesh” starts with an ominous intro before before bursting loose on all hooves. And with that I mean the above mentioned traits such as orchestration, breakdowns, shifts in pacing, the maniacal throat of Will and even a choir. It simply works and provides a chilling opener. “Oblivion” has the same traits but has a more Death Metal core in its heart.
“Glenwood” opens with a melancholic guitar intro and contains an epic guitar solo. Together with the beautiful synths it travels back and forth between melancholy and harshness. “Take me home”…screams Will at the top of his lungs. And I say: “Take me with you” A justified single aided with an excellent videoclip (see link below).
The same can be said for the song “Lionheart” with beautiful solo and choir/orchestration. This song is more compact and delivers quite a punch, aided with a beautiful choir.
The formula of this band should now be clear to you. I am not going to delve in all songs because Lorna Shore is well…Lorna Shore. But I just want to mention that the album ends with song number ten, the track “Forevermore” which sees to it that your chills and thrills are satisfied with a very heavy ending.
I thoroughly enjoyed “I Feel The Everblack Festering In Me”. Every track is excellent, the production is heavy yet crystal clear and the album itself is an emotional rollercoaster. In the future, when pursuing this course, repetition lurks. This is not the case at this moment since every song stands on its own, yet fitst the whole. Lorna Shore still holds the banner of Deathcore.
Next year they will play at the AFAS in Amsterdam. I hope to be there and give it a proper review. But in the meanwhile, I will play this superb album many, many (did I said many?) times again. When certain songs give me goosebumps it says something. And this is the case with more than a few on this raw gem. Good, very good stuff!
Score: 8,3 / 10
Label: Century Media Records
Release date: September 12th 2025
Reviewer: Erik
Tracklist:
1. Prison Of Flesh
2. Oblivion
3. In Darkness
4. Unbreakable
5. Glenwood
6. Lionheart
7. Death Can Take Me
8. War Machine
9. A Nameless Hymn
10. Forevermore
