Scion Soothsayer by The Big Jazz Duo: A Deathcore Gem from Italy
Released in 2018, Scion Soothsayer is one of those albums that sneaks up on you when you least expect it. Hailing from Italy and self-released under the "Not On Label" banner, this record by The Big Jazz Duo dives deep into the chaotic world of deathcore with a mix of metal and rock influences. It's raw, relentless, and unapologetically heavy—exactly what fans of the genre crave.
The album opens strong with "Blind Faith," which immediately sets the tone. This track feels like being hit by a freight train but in the best way possible. The riffs are razor-sharp, gnawing at your ears while the guttural vocals punch through like an angry sermon. What sticks out here is how dynamic it feels; just when you think it’s all chaos, there’s a breakdown that pulls everything together before exploding again. You don’t forget “Blind Faith” easily because it doesn’t let you catch your breath—it demands attention.
Another standout track is “Sacrifice To Cinder.” (Yeah, they spelled it twice in the tracklist—oops!) This song has a haunting vibe, almost like walking through a graveyard at midnight. The drumming is absolutely relentless, pounding away with precision, while the guitar work teeters between melodic and utterly destructive. There’s something about the way the chorus hits—it’s grimy yet oddly catchy, sticking to your brain long after the final note fades.
Tracks like “Of Serpents And Reeds” (also listed twice—maybe it’s intentional?) show off their knack for weaving intricate patterns into their brutality. Meanwhile, “Undeath” leans fully into its title, delivering a suffocating sense of dread with every blast beat and shrieked lyric. These guys aren’t reinventing the wheel, but they’re damn good at sharpening its spikes.
What makes Scion Soothsayer memorable isn’t perfection—it’s personality. Sure, there are minor quirks, like the repeated track titles, but these little imperfections give the album character. It feels real, not overly polished or calculated. Listening to it feels like watching a live performance where sweat drips off the stage and mistakes only add flavor.
Reflecting on this album, I can’t help but think of pizza—stay with me here. Like a great slice, Scion Soothsayer might not look perfect, but once you dig in, you realize it’s packed with bold flavors that leave you craving more. Who would’ve thought two dudes from Italy could whip up such a brutal feast?
