Swiss group Cortez were among the many fantastic post-metalcore groups to come out of the Basement Apes label a few years ago (see also: The Prestige, General Lee, etc.). Their style harbored many of the chaotic and restless elements of mathcore, but it was tempered with a keen sense of post-rock momentum and suspense.
It all coalesced into 2013’s excellent Phoebus, which married the elements together beautifully. It leaned harder on post-Converge/Botch/Dillinger Escape Plan metalcore than anything else, but the influence of post-metal like The Ocean and Devil Sold His Soul was prominent.
Fast forward to now, and No More Conqueror (a very clever title given the band’s name) shifts the pendulum even farther away from pensive post-metal into a delightfully menacing maelstrom. Cortez’ penchant for mathematically sound arrangements is on full display throughout; the riffs and rhythms are menacing, and the listener is given very little time to breathe.
The swirling arrangements are a definite asset in that regard, and the formerly pensive, post-y aspects are there in smart songwriting and pacing choices. Songs like “Abodes of Hail Season” lumber with atonal sludgy riffs, rising above the tide of Botch-ian riffs.
However, the lack of any breathing room also translates to a hell of a lot of seemingly similar noise. The songs themselves aren’t all that dissimilar either, resulting in a bit a diminishing returns issue as the record progresses. It’s not as if anything on No More Conqueror is outright poorly done or subpar, but it’s a bit of a challenge to get through the whole record without a break.
Little melody or momentum help break apart the purposeful wall of bombastic noise. Of course, Cortez are certainly some of the best in the business at that sort of thing, but it felt much more effective as part of a more long-winded approach. Although the record is sharpened and focused, this sonic violence isn’t as brutal as it could be.
