REVIEW: Tracheotomy – Fixated Propensity for Destruction [EP/2024]
Artist: Tracheotomy
Album: Fixated Propensity for Destruction – EP
Over the last two or three years, the “OG” or “MySpace” deathcore resurgence has become the flagship movement for the genre. Like the symphonic, technical and downtempo waves that served as its predecessor, the MySpace deathcore wave is, arguably, at its peak—and personally, when I think of bands that encapsulate the renaissance the best, Tracheotomy is at the tip of the spear. Emerging from near-obscurity with their debut EP Dissimulation in mid-2022, the band has since embarked on several regional and nationwide tours, released a series of stunning standalone singles and signed to 1126 records. Not too shabby for a bunch of kids from South Florida, right? With their label debut EP, Tracheotomy take things up yet another notch, delivering slab upon slab of diabolical, devastating deathcore straight out of the late 2000s. Pulverizing blast beats collide head-on with raunchy riffs and ear-shredding vocals to submerge the listener in a six-track organ grinder aptly titled Fixated Propensity for Destruction. Tracheotomy continue to exert dominance and demonstrate why and how they’ve found themselves at the forefront of Deathcore’s revitalization—making them a frontrunner for creators of the best EP of 2024.
Tracheotomy, joined by producer and original King Conquer (as well as current Bodysnatcher) drummer Chris Whited created a marvel of murderous, pummeling deathcore on Fixated Propensity for Destruction. Starting with “Maimed,” a figurative sonnet to the MySpace intro tracks of old, the band let loose with bouncy, explosive percussion that works side-by-side with crunchy, gritty bass and low, booming guitars. This trend continues through songs like “Endure the Plight,” which finds itself an archetype for old-deathcore-made-new-again. Combining everything from shred leads and lacerating blast beats t snappy, groovy bass and a catchy closing breakdown, Tracheotomy’s instrumental excellence kicks into its highest gear here. The closing song, “Phosgene Bloodstream,” feels in some ways like a B-Side from Oceano’s Depths, seeing the band add a murky, eerie atmosphere overtop of churning breakdowns and more taciturn percussion. Despite its more atmospheric nature, “Phosgene Bloodstream” builds into a soul-smothering climax that draws the release to an apt, powerful conclusion—turning what might have been one of the duller parts of the release into something unmissable. Between these two “extremes,” the band provide “Stifled by Dominance,” demonstrating a balance of the two. In reality, the band don’t miss their mark instrumentally in the slightest throughout the entirety of the release, with each song feeling distinct enough to stand alone while also being cohesive enough to flow beautifully with the other tracks on the EP.
In keeping with their mission to revitalize the genre’s traditional sounds and styles, Tracheotomy do not use Fixated Propensity for Destruction as a means to put the listener through a cringeworthy display of pointless vocal and lyrical gymnastics. Instead, what you get is a no-holds-barred display of remorseless aggression; bellows, shouts and screams that mangle the listener without getting lost in an abundance of technicality, and lyrics that are raw to match. “Endure the Plight” shines once more with a display of vocal power and intensity that matches the instrumental diversity excellently, culminating in a closing breakdown that is both catchy and impressive—a subtle but truly organic homage to deathcore of decades past. “Deliberate Dehumanization” is another example of vocal excellence, with Tracheotomy’s frontman sounding absolutely gargantuan behind the microphone, making molehills out of the otherwise mountainous and dominating breakdowns the band craft as his soundscape.
I remember hearing Tracheotomy in early-mid 2022 and feeling like this was a big step towards seeing Deathcore’s roots become commonplace within the scene again. I don’t necessarily think Tracheotomy are solely to thank for this—we all know there are dozens of incredible bands who have dedicated themselves to bringing that sound and style back to relevance (ironically, most of them from the southern or southeastern united states, thanks Florida and Texas), but Tracheotomy is certainly one of the bands that have made the biggest waves within the movement. With Fixated Propensity for Destruction, it appears the band’s motion is only getting started, taking the brilliance abundant on Dissimulation and “Mask of Sanity” and stepping it up another notch across six songs of pure, unfiltered deathcore that is not only some of the best within the genre for 2024, but one of the finest EPs the year has seen.
10/10
For Fans Of: Girl of Glass, Thy Art is Murder but the old stuff, Crucifiction, The Queen Guillotined, Victimblamed
By: Connor Welsh
