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A Choir of Sins in the Throat of Dawn: Trust In The Serpent - Sins Ascend (EP Review) Released: 2/4/24


Trust In The Serpent’s debut EP Sins Ascend is a tightly focused eruption of Chicago heaviness, driven by the collective force of Nick Nativo, Matthew Farrell, and Michael Kulakowski. Their lineup brings together musicians who understand the weight and urgency of modern extreme metal, and the result is an EP that feels both sharpened and unrestrained, which is a concentrated blast of hostility shaped by precision and intent. The opening “Intro” sets a dark, tension‑laden atmosphere before the EP lunges forward with “God Complex,” a track built on serrated riffing and a vocal delivery that feels like a confrontation with the self. Farrell’s guitar work cuts with jagged clarity, Kulakowski’s contributions add density and grit, and Nativo’s production instincts keep everything tight without sacrificing rawness.

“Lost in the Lurch” and “Sick as Secrets” accelerate the EP into frantic territory, showcasing the band’s ability to shift between thrash‑infused speed and groove‑driven breakdowns. These tracks highlight one of Trust In The Serpent’s greatest strengths: pacing. They know when to push forward with violence and when to let the riffs breathe, creating a sense of momentum that never collapses. Thematically, Sins Ascend is steeped in imagery of guilt, corruption, and the internal struggle to rise above one’s own destructive impulses. The lyrics explore the tension between discipline and decay, self‑awareness and self‑sabotage. It’s familiar territory for heavy music, but Trust In The Serpent approaches it with sincerity and conviction, giving the EP emotional weight beneath its aggression.

“Vessel of Discipline” stands out as one of the most punishing tracks, built on tight rhythmic interplay and a vocal performance that feels like a controlled detonation. The structure mirrors the message, which comes as rigid, forceful, and unyielding. It’s the kind of track that feels engineered for a live setting, where its intensity can hit at full force. The closer, “Mandatory Death,” ties the EP together with a final surge of hostility. It’s not just heavy for the sake of being heavy; it feels like the thematic culmination of everything Sins Ascend has been building toward. The riffs grind, the drums hammer, and the vocals deliver a final, cathartic release of tension. Production‑wise, the EP strikes a balance between clarity and grit. Every instrument hits with definition, but nothing feels sanitized. It sounds like a band operating in their natural state, aggressive, focused, and hungry.

What makes Sins Ascend compelling is its cohesion. Trust In The Serpent doesn’t dilute their sound with unnecessary experimentation. Instead, they deliver a concentrated dose of hostility shaped by tight musicianship and a clear vision. It’s an EP built for movement, specifically for pits, for headbanging, for catharsis, but it also shows a band refining their craft with intention. For fans of deathcore, thrash, and the heavier edges of modern metal, Sins Ascend is a quick but memorable strike. Trust In The Serpent prove they’re carving out a place in the Chicago scene with a sound that’s both familiar and distinctly their own.


                                                        Check out their song God Complex: 


Give them a follow on Instagram: Trust In The Serpent

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