Ten Thousand CrowsMacabre Arcana

In these uncertain times, Sydney bruisers Ten Thousand Crows have been taking a different approach to releasing their music.

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Born out of the isolation of travel restrictions and lockdowns, the two-piece have been drip-feeding tracks every couple of months since July last year.

Macabre Arcana is the complete collection of these works so far, five gloomy, thunderous and moody songs using the imagery of the tarot as a metaphor for our perilous existence. The Hanged Man leads the assault and immediately establishes the group’s signature style. It’s a short burst that perfectly serves as an intro for what’s to come – dark, sludgy riffing, slow, catchy grooves and George Mackenzie’s ragged scream. Many bands from the deathcore realm tend to batter their listeners into submission with unbridled brutality. Ten Thousand Crows rely on their sense of atmospherics and groove, the underlying dark synths creating unsettling moments like those in The Empress and The Moon.

Macabre Arcana is a strong effort, a staunch way for Ten Thousand Crows to introduce themselves to the bubbling cauldron of Australian deathcore

That isn’t to say violence isn’t part of their ethos, as they prove with closing track Judgement. Mckenzie shares vocals with Niik Script as Ten Thousand Crows spiral down into chaos. Ensuing instrumental tracks show off the solid musical bones of their songs, as if to prove that crushing speed and an onslaught of riffs is nothing compared to sustained groove and dynamics. 

Macabre Arcana is a strong effort, a staunch way for Ten Thousand Crows to introduce themselves to the bubbling cauldron of Australian deathcore.

STAND OUT TRACKS: The Hanged Man, The Moon, Judgement
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