Album Review: Ingested – The Tide of Death and Fractured Dreams

Few bands have been as consistent as Mancunian Death Metal Merchants Ingested. Having slowly built momentum since their formation in 2006, they can rightly be considered one of the premier league bands when it comes to their genre, and that’s across the globe, not just in the UK. As intense on record as they on stage, their new album The Tide of Death and Fractured Dreams is another skull splitter in every department. But to dismiss it as a bludgeoning burst of brutality would be to do Ingested the biggest of disservices. Following on from 2020’s Where Only God May Tread and 2022’s Ashes Lie Still, this is an album that elevates the band still further. If you’ve ever looked at gig listings, you’ll often see Ingested on the road, and it’s that work ethic that has paid dividends, for their constant attention to playing, touring, and writing has delivered what may well be a career best. “We’re always working on new music behind the scenes,” Ingested says. “It’s almost as if we are never out of a writing cycle. If the ideas keep flowing, you may as well take full advantage of it.” 

Technically immense, ferocious, and as bruising as ever, it’s the complete package. As well as the destructive ability that Ingested possess, there is evidence, as if it was needed, that this is a band who can improve in every aspect on each album. Ashes Lie Still was another album constructed during the pandemic, with a mood that the band admit “reflects that time”. With that in the past, The Tide of Death and Fractured Dreams sees a refined Ingested burning with an energy that fires through those previous depressive tones. It’s certainly a fiery beast, bursting with dynamism at every angle. The tempo and subject matter is more upbeat, there’s plenty of melody lurking within the songs, which are as usual anchored by the blistering drumming of Lyn Jeffs. Tucked away in the middle of the album is Numinous, which begins with delicate arpeggio movements, keys, and a fragility that is shattered by the pounding artillery that Ingested unleash. Keys drench the track in a way designed to enhance every part, and although it is unusual, it doesn’t seem out of place. 

The title of the album can be a minefield of interpretations. What does it refer to? It’s essentially a metaphor for trying to make it through life and forging a career for yourself, including all the hurdles that come your way,” Ingested says. “We always write about personal experiences or struggles, we don’t tend to have an overall theme for an album, it’s usually what’s been going on in our lives that puts the pen to paper.” Two heavyweight guests add extra heft to the album. Josh Middleton of Sylosis joins the fray on Expect to Fail, whilst the tones on In Nothingness can be attributed to Chimaira’s Mark Hunter. “We couldn’t be prouder to have them on this album” the band state. 

There is a blend of clean vocals interspersed with vocalist Jason Evans trademark growls. It works well, and there is no evidence that Evans was struggling with his own crises. A realization that Ingested is no longer a small club band seemed to cause self-doubt. It’s evident in the song Pantheon, which Evans is open and honest about. “I wrote “Pantheon” when I was suffering from a heavy bout of imposter syndrome,” he says. “We've done all these big tours with all these huge bands -- bands we grew up idolizing -- and now we're rubbing shoulders with giants, so to speak. That song is about questioning if you belong, if you're good enough. Am I able to keep up with my peers? Can I fill the shoes of my idols once they are gone? Do I deserve it?” There’s no doubting he is deserving on this performance, for there is everything that one could want from Ingested here. High level performances all round, with the musicianship of Jeffs and guitarist Sean Hynes impressive. There’s even a twist in the tail, with final song A Path Once Lost throwing a completely different side to the band to conclude a spine crushing and overall stunning release. Ingested remain grounded even at 18 years into their journey. “I don’t think much change has taken place, in all honesty,” they say. “We are the same three lads making music. We’ve just gotten better at it as the years have ticked by”.