DARKO US-STARFIRE

Two quick observations before we get into the contents of the latest full-length from Darko US, a band that is effectively the Legend to the For the Fallen Dreams of Chelsea Grin, if you will: 1) I love the affixing of "US" to the band’s name; it reminds me of when Architects used to put "UK" after their name (presumably because there are multiple bands with that name out there, but I still like it—it makes me think of the Olympics or something), and 2) How are they this prolific!?

I have long characterized Darko US as Emmure for the Space Age, and this album only solidifies that comparison as we are taken on a skronky hell-ride through the cosmos, albeit not one without moments of intense beauty, especially on "Finding Love in a World Full of Tragedy" (the video is particularly heart-wrenching). Songs like "Starfire" and "Distant World" lead us off sounding like The Prodigy gone djent, while elsewhere Scarlxrd goes off on "Virtual Function" and "Bunny Suit," presumably a reference to Donnie Darko, sounds like a full-scale meltdown in the engine room of whatever spacecraft we’re on before the zen-like interlude about two minutes in; from there, Darko stacks the heaviness back in, ultimately giving way to the dream-scape outro.

The trash talking voicemail or whatever it is at the beginning of "Death Charge" reminds me a little of that "wanner-diddle-danner-diddle" smack-talk Veil of Maya put in "Punisher" before mocking it by playing a savage breakdown that mirrored the original mockery. Marc Zelli of Paleface Swiss (another band that is into placing the location in the band name) adds some ruthlessly unhinged vocals to the track. "Shanghai" is another standout, serving as a microcosm of the combination of otherworldly heaviness and soundscapes the duo have synthesized to such powerful effect.

Starfire is their best work yet, and that’s saying something given how strong their other releases have been.