Harlott - Exsequiis

The album title itself comes from Latin. "Exsequiae" refers to funeral rites, ceremonies for the dead or a funeral procession, while "Exsequiis" is its dative or ablative form and can loosely be understood as 'at the funeral rites' or 'with the rites of the dead'. Behind that rather morbid linguistic choice lies a concept that continues where "Detritus Of The Final Age" left off: after reducing society to ruins on their previous record, HARLOTT are now apparently ready to bury the gods themselves. Shaun Farrugia’s artwork captures that idea perfectly, depicting a funeral procession for a burning deity. Apparently, societal collapse alone simply wasn’t apocalyptic enough.

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The short intro 'Incipiam', roughly translated as "I will begin", opens the ceremony with a melodic guitar passage. Epic, almost storytelling riffs create a sense of anticipation, introducing us to something we cannot quite grasp yet. Brief but effective, it sets the stage for what is about to follow.'Void', on the other hand, shows absolutely no mercy, throwing us straight into the good old HARLOTT thrash: fast, vicious and technically sharp, but with a healthy dose of groove underneath. Andrew Hudson’s cutting vocals soon enter the attack, reinforced by Tom Richards’ backing vocals and a noticeably present bass line sitting firmly at the heart of the composition. Glen Trayhern’s drumming rains down like a thunderstorm, adding relentless pressure without overwhelming the riffs. Excellent guitar work rounds things out, with Leigh Bartley delivering a particularly tasty solo towards the end. HARLOTT is well and truly back.

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'Trial By Liar' takes aim at a society where attention has become more valuable than truth, with lies, gaslighting and manufactured enemies feeding an increasingly poisonous cycle. Musically, HARLOTT matches that frustration with an aggressive and addictive thrash attack that occasionally brings TESTAMENT to mind, while still sounding unmistakably their own. Technically impressive riffing and relentless momentum make it almost impossible to sit still, all you really want to do is raise your fist and stomp your way towards everyone who helped society reach this point.

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'A Still More Glorious Dawn Awaits' begins with a suspense-laden riff that feels ready to explode at any moment, while forceful drumming constantly pushes us forward. When the vocals arrive, they are aggressive, spitting and throaty, yet subtle clean singing in the background adds an unexpected layer to the attack. The combination works remarkably well, creating a track that is both vicious and surprisingly memorable. One of those songs that simply gets stuck in your head. 'The Joyful Stain' directs its anger towards the political and social climate of the band’s Australian homeland, twisting familiar patriotic phrases into the bitter "girt by greed" and "Advance Australia Despair". Corruption, inequality and growing social division provide plenty of fuel, but HARLOTT never allows the message to overshadow the music. Frustration seems embedded in every riff and melody, while Andrew Hudson’s venomous vocal delivery gives the track an almost confrontational edge. Although unmistakably Australian in its wording, the criticism reaches considerably further. Different countries, different flags, unfortunately, many of the same problems. 

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We end this musical thunderstorm with the title track 'Exsequiis', opening with ominous clean tones and a sound almost resembling wind drifting through the background. Drums and heavier guitars gradually enter before the pace begins to rise, with the early passages carrying an unexpected touch of doom. As the vocals arrive, the composition occasionally brings KREATOR to mind, before aggression and speed take complete control. You can feel that the end is approaching, and HARLOTT seem determined to throw everything they have left into these final minutes, which, in their case, means an impressive display of skill and musicianship. The instruments hit with devastating force while working remarkably well together, before choir-like chants emerge beneath the heaviness towards the end. An ominous and fitting conclusion to "Exsequiis".

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With "Exsequiis", HARLOTT return from their six-year absence sounding vicious, confident and more adventurous than ever. Razor-sharp thrash remains at the heart of the record, but darker atmosphere, groove and occasional melodic touches give the aggression considerably more depth. Excellent musicianship runs through every track, yet technical precision never comes at the expense of passion or sheer physical impact. Add biting social commentary and an apocalyptic concept, and Exsequiis becomes far more than simply a long-awaited comeback. HARLOTT has returned with one hell of a statement.

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SCORE 9/10

REVIEWED BY SWAMPY