Ferocious, Unrelenting, Blackened
Extreme metal supergroup Scour returns with their full-length album Gold, a sonic assault that blends elements of black metal, grindcore, and death metal into a relentless, unyielding experience. Featuring members from legendary bands such as Pantera, Down, Pig Destroyer, and Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Gold is the culmination of the band’s previous EPs (Grey, Red, and Black), offering an intense, focused burst of aggression. The album starts with “Cross,” a blistering display of speed and precision. The relentless blast beats and the tremolo-picked guitars set the tone for the punishing journey ahead. A mix of groove-laden riffage and blackened intensity, “Blades” showcases Scour’s ability to balance raw brutality with an almost hypnotic, dark atmosphere. A chaotic grindcore-infused track that is Infosurium rips through at a breakneck pace. The guttural vocals are particularly venomous here, reinforcing the song’s suffocating intensity. This is especially apparent in “Infusorium.” Scour honors their black metal roots yet takes the music forward into a fresher, modern sound. While you can hear those black metal roots in “Infusorium,” you can listen to them in other songs on this album.
“Ornaments” is more dynamic in structure; this song slows things down at moments to create an ominous, brooding atmosphere before erupting into frenzied aggression. One of the more experimental cuts on the album, “Coin,” flirts with dissonant melodies and eerie, haunting guitar lines while maintaining its metallic fury. As its name suggests, “Evil” is dripping with malice. The tremolo riffs evoke the sinister nature of Scandinavian black metal, while the percussive assault never lets up. Devil is a venomous track that leans heavily into grindcore sensibilities; this song is a short but potent blast of sonic violence. Featuring layered, almost suffocating production, “Contaminated” creates a claustrophobic atmosphere that suits the album’s themes of despair and destruction. This track leans into a more traditional black metal sound, complete with icy tremolo-picked riffs and infernal growls that paint a bleak, nightmarish landscape.
Another standout moment on the record, “Invoke,” brings subtle melodic elements that add depth without compromising the band’s raw aggression. The title track, “Gold,” is a colossal sound wall filled with punishing blast beats, searing guitar lines, and relentless energy. It serves as a powerful centerpiece for the album. A brief respite, “Angels,” slows things down momentarily, adding an almost ethereal quality before leading into the album’s punishing conclusion. Closing out the album with a savage final blow, “Serve” is one of the most visceral tracks on Gold, leaving the listener battered but exhilarated.
Scour’s Gold is a masterclass in extremity, refining its sound to its sharpest, most devastating form. While it remains uncompromisingly brutal, the band has injected subtle variations in texture and dynamics that prevent the album from becoming monotonous. Phil Anselmo’s vocals are as ferocious as ever, while the musicianship is razor-sharp, with drummer Adam Jarvis and guitarists Derek Engemann and Mark Kloeppel driving the album’s relentless pace. For fans of blackened grindcore, Gold is an essential listen, solidifying Scour’s reputation as one of the most vicious acts in modern extreme metal. Whether you’re drawn to its sheer aggression or the razor-tight execution, this album delivers an unrelenting, exhilarating ride from start to finish.
