Swedish death metal unit Wretched Fate were inspired by a sense of nostalgia for the past, specifically the glory days of bands like Entombed and Dismember. Rooted in crunchy HM-2-driven bludgeoning, their debut Fleshletting is equal parts primitive and sophisticated. Songs like “Only Death to Abide” showcase that duality perfectly, combining caveman-like riffing with melodic leads and guitar solos, Wretched Fate achieve a sense of balance. The primitive aspects of the music are highlighted because of the melodies and the melodies stand out that much more on such a brutal backdrop.
”’Only Death to Abide’ is where Wretched Fate started,” the band tells Decibel. “Back then, in the summer of 2016, it was supposed to be a one-time thing. After finishing the Swedish metal documentations Blood, Fire, Death and Swedish Death Metal, we felt a great hunger to contribute to the revival of the culture and community created by Swedish metalheads in the ’80s and ’90s, and the creation of Wretched Fate was therefore clearly sparked by a nostalgic feeling towards a past which we never got to experience.
“Soon after the recording of ‘Only Death to Abide,’ we decided to expand the project with a handful of songs and eventually into the full-length record Fleshletting, which reached its completion in 2018. ”
Despite being inspired by nostalgia, Wretched Fate and songs like “Only Death to Abide” escape generic labels by carving their own sense of style onto the album. Fleshletting is out this Friday on Redefining Darkness.
