Welcome back, fellow black metal enthusiasts, to another in-depth review from Black Metal Archives. I’m Sean, and today, we’re diving into a band that pushes the boundaries of heavy music with their latest release. We’re talking about Known Demise and their 2024 album, Sick and Cold and Blue. This record fuses elements of sludge, metalcore, and nu-metal into a dark, immersive experience that demands attention. Let’s break it down.
You may not know this about me, but I grew up in the metalcore era, just as it was exploding into the scene in the early years of 2004/2005. It grabbed a chokehold on me and wouldn’t let go, even to this day. It is rare for me to find new music in this genre, that I classify as metalcore because it just has that sound and that feel to it. So, whenever a band like this comes around, that strikes a certain chord, and takes me back to that time, I have to talk about them. Even though I mainly divulge in the atmospheric black metal space, metalcore is where it all began for me and it still holds a special place in this bleeding black heart of mine.
From the opening moments of Sick and Cold and Blue, Known Demise establishes a suffocatingly heavy atmosphere. The guitars are thick and crushing, drenched in distortion, while the bass provides an ominous undercurrent that bolsters the band’s overall intensity. The drumming is precise yet unhinged, shifting between pounding grooves and chaotic blasts that keep the listener on edge.
Vocally, there’s an incredible amount of raw emotion on display. The screams are desperate and seething, cutting through the dense instrumental layers with a sense of pain and urgency. The lyrics throughout the album reflect themes of paranoia, isolation, and existential dread, adding a deeply personal dimension to the sonic aggression.
Let’s talk about some of the standout tracks on this record.
The album kicks off with “Paranoia,” a relentless opener that sets the tone with jagged, dissonant riffs and a suffocating rhythm section. The lyrics encapsulate the overwhelming nature of anxiety and psychological distress:
“Hearing things again
Every voice is pointed at my head
I can’t live like this
What can I do
Should I accept this is me”
“Time and Loss” follows with a more restrained yet emotionally devastating approach. This track leans into a sludgy, almost doom-like pacing, allowing the weight of its melodies and lyrics to settle deep within the listener.
One of the most gripping moments on the album comes in “Under.” The song is an unpredictable mix of crushing breakdowns and eerie atmospheric passages. The interplay between the bass and guitar creates an unsettling tension, while the drum work keeps things ferociously dynamic. It’s a track that refuses to sit still, dragging the listener through an ever-evolving soundscape of despair and catharsis.
Production-wise, Sick and Cold and Blue strikes a balance between clarity and rawness. The mix is intentionally unpolished, giving it a live, almost suffocating presence that enhances the emotional weight of the music. Every instrument is distinct yet melds together seamlessly, ensuring the album remains both powerful and immersive.
As for influences, Known Demise seemingly pulls from multiple corners of the heavy music spectrum. You can hear the oppressive metalcore influence of bands like Emmure and The Ghost Inside, the chaotic hardcore energy of Thrown, Paleface Swiss, Architects, Converge, and even some nu-metal-infused grooves reminiscent of Otep and early Slipknot. Yet, despite these familiar elements, the band has crafted something uniquely their own—an experience that is equally punishing and introspective.
Known Demise has delivered something truly compelling with Sick and Cold and Blue. It’s an album that refuses to be confined to a single genre, instead forging a path through the murky depths of sludge, hardcore, and beyond. With its suffocating atmosphere, emotionally charged performances, and crushing instrumentation, this record is a must-listen for fans of extreme and experimental heavy music.
If you haven’t already, make sure to check it out and support the band on Bandcamp. The links are in the description below. Let me know what you think in the comments—what was your favorite track? And as always, stay tuned for more deep dives into the underground.
Until next time, keep the black flame burning.
