Album Review: HINAYANA’s New EP “Death of the Cosmic” Is Powerful and Ethereal
Melodic Death Metal act HINAYANA have finally unleashed their EP titled Death of the Cosmic today, a follow up to their 2018 debut full-length record Order Divine. Hinayana combine the sounds of Doom and Death Metal with brooding precision on Death of the Cosmic. Reviewing this record was especially important and sentimental to me, as the late Nature Ganganbaigal of Tengger Cavalary is featured on the EP’s first single “Cold Conception”. Nature was an important and inspiring staple in the Metal community until his tragic and untimely passing in June 2019. His contribution to Hinayana’s EP and talent as a Metal vocalist has left an everlasting print in Metal that is dearly missed. I find solace in knowing that his legacy with Tengger Cavalary will continue to thrive within the Metal community and through this track.
The self titled single on “Death of the Cosmic” invites elements of Black Metal, while never straying the path from the band’s Melodic/Death roots and garnishing this EP with a hint of Doom. This will be the track that will open the stage for HINAYANA for a great first live impression.
“Cold Conception” is one of two singles that were released before the new EP’s release date. The agonizing and brooding screams on Death of the Cosmic cannot be ignored, especially for fans of Amon Amarth and Deicide. With some swift and wonderful melodic passages and strings, “Cold Conception” is a powerful assault on the aural senses when all instruments are in unison. Cold Conception is absolutely the track that will tune Melodic/Death Metal fans in to HINAYANA.
“Yet Here I Wait Forever” is the interlude of the album, a brief palate cleanser piece which offers its listener a moment to reflect on the early tracks of the EP. The interlude is a resonance of pipes and soothing acoustic strings, an instrumental which seeks to enhance the listeners creativity and introversion. The Eastern European influence really adds to the charm of the interlude and sets an ethereal mood.
“In Sacred Delusion” returns HINAYANA’s intensity with chugging guitars. The calm strings are an integral part in this album and still remains to be noticed, adding plenty of layers to the heaviness of their music. This single also guest features Toni Toivonen from the Metal band Hanging Garden! The middle solo featured on this track is an impressive showcase of musicianship, proving HINAYANA do not leave any stones unturned in their technique.
“Pitch Black Noise” concludes Death of the Cosmic with Casey Hurd’s scowling vocals at its strongest peak, packed with ceaseless emotion. The eerie calm of the outro moves listeners to a state existentialism. As a rising band, HINAYANA have placed every ounce of their talent and hard work into the production of their new EP. The talent, technique and musicianship within the band and this EP is a spirit and force that will inevitably set their success in motion throughout the music industry.
FFO: Type O Negative, Dark Tranqulity, Starkill, Katatonia, Swallow the Sun, Dissection, Amorphis, At the Gates, Soilwork, Insomnium
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- Bandcamp: https://hinayana.bandcamp.com
- YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/HinayanaOfficial/featured
