Deathcore has long lived in a constant tension between evolution and saturation, and Endless, the new album by Ov Sulfur, sits right on that line. The record doesn’t attempt to redefine the genre, but rather to push a formula built on brutality, dark aesthetics, and relentless intensity to its limit. The result is a forceful, aggressive release designed to hit hard, though not always to surprise.
From the very first minute, it’s clear that Endless relies on a modern, dense, and heavily compressed production. The breakdowns are crushing, the guitars sound like colliding walls, and the drums drive forward with constant violence, rarely allowing space to breathe. Everything is engineered to maximize physical impact, and in that sense, the album fully delivers: it is heavy, dark, and direct.
Vocals are one of the most dominant elements on the record. Guttural lows, piercing highs, and layered vocal textures create an almost inhuman presence that fits perfectly within contemporary deathcore aesthetics. However, that vocal dominance becomes a double-edged sword. In many moments, the intensity remains so high that impact loses contrast, and what should feel devastating starts to feel predictable.
Compositionally, Endless leans heavily on familiar structures: tension build-up, breakdown explosion, and repetition of the cycle. Ov Sulfur executes this formula with confidence, but rarely strays from it. There are moments where cinematic production and atmospheric elements suggest a broader ambition, yet the album almost always returns to the safe route of immediate aggression.
That is the album’s central dilemma. Endless works extremely well as a modern brutality release, designed for direct impact and the mosh pit environment. However, for listeners seeking evolution, dynamics, or a more varied narrative, the album may feel overwhelming. The constant intensity ultimately works against the memorability of individual tracks.
Taken as a whole, Endless is coherent with its scene and audience. It doesn’t aim to be subtle or sophisticated; it aims to be heavy, dark, and crushing. Ov Sulfur delivers exactly that, backed by solid production and a clearly defined aesthetic identity. Its greatest strength is also its main limitation: an extreme focus that leaves little room for contrast.
