As a general rule of thumb, deathcore bands don’t tend to mess about when it comes to getting to the point. Pittsburgh maulers Signs of the Swarm are no exception, as you will discover the moment their latest album, Amongst The Low & Empty, slams you straight in the face with the breezeblock-heavy title track. The follow-up to 2021’s Absolvere effort, Amongst The Low & Empty is an absolutely punishing affair. Now, while listening to the thudding crunch pumping around the veins of this album, there are plenty of moments where the band flexes their creative wings, adding a splash of colour to the dark heart that keeps this album going. Take a track like “Shackles Like Talons,” which sits midway through the album with a haunting atmosphere and crushing breakdowns. Of course, no album ...