Introduction
Kensei are a 5 piece melodic death metal band from the West Midlands, UK. Forming in 2021 the band have been bringing their tunes to live audiences for over 4 years now! Those live performances are known for being ferocious with hard hitting riffs as well as choruses you can’t help but sing along with.
The band released their debut album “With Death I Walk” earlier this year and this felt like the perfect chance to review it! Especially after we previously interviewed them and reviewed the lead single!
For fans of Trivium, Killswitch Engage, Machine Head.
Review
Intro
Readers of the site will know as a rule I hate intro tracks. I don’t see the need for it on the album but what I will say is that I think it is the perfect walk on track for them to play at live shows. I also appreciate how seamlessly it flows into End Of Days.
End Of Days
Kicking off the album with a bang is the , aggressive riff-heavy track “End Of Days.” The drums drive both the song and the album forward at breakneck pace. This is was an excellent choice for the opener!
The fierce vocals in the verses remain clear and powerful, a genuine strength as I love to know exactly what I am listening to lyrically. Meanwhile, the clean vocals in the chorus weave in layers of texture and complexity to further elevate what could otherwise have been the standard format for a death metal song. The energy of this track is undeniable; the much-needed caffeine kick to ignite your day!
Lucid
Lucid encapsulates the Kensei formula, blending anthemic vocals with a gut punch that you will be feeling a week later! The atmosphere created here is impressive, making this track a highlight on the album.
The bass, I find very well done and it emerges as an unsung hero. A highlight for me is the technically brilliant guitar solo that flows seamlessly. It would not be out of place in a much softer band! Kensei seem to have no fear about dismantling the confines of the death metal label, this is really bold!
Paralysis
We actually already reviewed Paralysis in depth as a single! You should check that out here.
The Light
To me this is undoubtedly the most ambitious track on the album; feeling in parts to be quite progressive! With its varied sections and dynamic shifts that bob and weave their way through different areas, this keeps you on your toes. To my surprise, I found myself enjoying the heavier vocals throughout, these in this case added a layer to the listening experience.
“You should have ended it quickly”.
What I will say, though, is that while I enjoy the song from start to finish. I can’t help but feel it could have been just a shade shorter. As after a while, it does become a little too familiar despite the mentioned progressive nature. Nevertheless, it’s impossible to overlook the strength this song has. For sure there’s a reason it’s the album’s most listened-to track! It delivers that raw aggression you not only want but absolutely need to become fully immersed!
No Remorse
Whoa! Where did that stunning piano and orchestral intro to the song come from. More of this please! What I previously claimed about the intro track being the ultimate walk-out anthem still stands true, but I have to say, this track is the perfect choice for an encore!
The song is a real neck breaker, starting off as this soft, delicate piece before flipping the script completely on its head. Hit with blast beat drums, vocals that sound like they’re straight from the depths of hell, and heavy, thunderous riffs! In terms of length, this song totally nails it!
There are moments where the lyrics are a bit too hard for my ears to pick out, which may turn some listeners off, but hey, that’s just my take. Others will for sure have a different opinion on that! There’s a section featuring impressive guitar work that truly showcases incredible finger technique; I can’t help but feel that the guitarist could let loose even more and really take us on a wild ride!
Pariah
After the emotional laden dip in the last couple of songs, this track screams momentum back to life. The aggressive nature stands front and center, and this song is possibly the most “Death Metal” of all their tracks.
While I’ve made no secret of my preference for their more melodic tunes, there’s something exhilarating about the occasional brain scrambler! This track resulted in a lot of time headbanging that is for sure.
Nodachi
This track kicks off with 37 seconds of pure instrumental bliss, and it is probably their grooviest song yet! The vocals stand out with a unique flair, especially in their varied delivery. With a catchy chorus, I enjoy the way the riffs seamlessly switch between aggression and melody. Among Kensei’s back catalogue, this is one of their most accessible tracks. If they had added just a few more clean vocals, it could easily become their most streamed hit!
With Death I Walk
The deep, dark riffs at the beginning set the perfect stage for the haunting vocals that follow. Masterfully weaving together elements from their previous songs, this song seamlessly incorporates snippets of earlier styles for an extra punch. I can already envision fans of Killswitch Engage, especially those who appreciate their heavier early work, loving this one!
While there are moments where it could be even more melodic, it’s important to remember that they are, at their core, a death metal band. That instrumental section at the end…Seriously, wow!
Final Thoughts
The album flows really well, which is something that I value highly. I don’t want to be thrown left and right while listening. The melodic nature of their songs comes through especially strongly early on before leaning much more into the death metal side of things.
Personally and I have made this abundantly clear, I prefer the melodic side, but that doesn’t mean this album has not given me a stronger love for that aggression! This honestly is a tremendous album that I think will shock quite a few people with how much crossover it could have. Hurry up and make another one Kensei! I want more!
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