To paraphrase that clever meme that’s been doing the rounds for years now – I don’t always listen to crushing death metal any more – but when I do, so do the neighbours…

This is funny because for the past couple of weeks me and the good burghers of South Peckham have been enjoying the soothing sounds of Remission’s The Tether’s End at often ear-splitting volume, to the point where that’s surely where Mrs and Mrs Andreanu will be if I don’t get this review done soon..

But I digress. Remission are a bunch of young cubs from Western Australia who, despite their tender age and visages, have conjured up the sort of album previously thought possible to be created only be wizened, inevitably bearded scene veterans and the gilded magi of long-gone ages. Truly these lads are brutal beyond their years, as the unforgiving hack and slash of Submit to The Order will attest. Gratifyingly the band don’t get over technical – though they can sure play, and then some – preferring to let their natural talent and groove push the songs forward at breakneck though not show off speed.

Remission live in a world where melody is accommodated seamlessly into muscle; you’re never far away from a guitar or vocal hook that’ll snag the earholes, yet the overall feel is pleasingly still one of remorseless bludgeon. When Black Scorched Earth finally kicks off into gear after a nice n’thoughtful intro, you find yourself roaring along in approbation in exactly the same way as vocalist Jacson Robb; yes, there’s a formula to this stuff and you knew that roar was coming, but it’s done so well and with so much sheer infectiousness that you willingly go along for the ride. Solos slash in and out of the mix, razor sharp yet never sterile, and then the double kicks slip into ramming speed and… you know the rest. I’m sure this track turns death metal into a full-contact participation sport in all the Perth metal clubs, should such things exist…

Best track Like Tears In Rain throws a bit of Teutonic rawness into an already bubbling cauldron of hate, proving that these boys have every base of brutality covered, in the process making this one of the most enjoyably listenable death metal records I’ve encountered in a long, long time. Yep, that’s right – listenability and death metal need not be mutually exclusive terms!

But all joking aside, this is a very, very assured opening full-length statement of intent and one which points to a very bright future. Get in on the ground floor and tell ‘em Mickey sent yas!

The Tether’s End is out now.