Relentless Pursuit, an indie metalcore project hailing from Somerset, Kentucky, is the work of one Matthew Konradt. Dubbed “quite possibly one of the most prolific artists out there,” Matthew has been playing music since childhood, starting with piano before graduating to guitar, bass, drum loops, sound production, etc. And after releasing four albums and an EP since 2022 (remember, we said “prolific”), Matthew’s Relentless Pursuit project presents album #5, the highly anticipated Ascension. Ready for the chugging guitar, throaty death-howling, and hyper-metal power of Relentless Pursuit’s latest? Let’s hit the highlights.
What’s the story behind that band name?
Relentless Pursuit describes Matthew’s relentless drive to constantly evolve as a songwriter and musician.
And what’s the meaning, the inspiration, behind Ascension?
Per Matthew, “The upcoming album Ascension is inspired by the book of Revelation in its story concept.”
Now, about those highlights….
What we’re digging during the biblically described end times.
Ascension begins with the instrumental, “Alpha.” It’s a dramatic piano piece with dark, subtle strings beneath. It twinkles at times, playing a key progression as a fade-out gives way to distant mechanics and filtered breathing. This is an interesting, surprisingly peaceful track….that will be absolutely obliterated by the very next piece.
“Elevation,” with its thumping, rapid-fire bass drum and distorted chorus guitar, chugs rapidly and mercilessly as Matthew’s scream-growling conveys superhuman tenacity against Hell’s ferocious pull. Occasionally, a clear, diabolical voice arrives, but “Elevation” leans more towards the desperately howled.
At about 3:38, the song takes a more melodic turn with crystal synths and a clearer, effects-sustained voice intersecting with growls. What a powerful, emotionally dynamic track.
“Here with Me” is scattershot guitar chugging and powerful guttural screams. And then a dramatic, almost electronic reprieve with an aching, entreating clear voice – it’s a nice interjection of unmuddied melodic emotion. And when the song ends, it’s a scratching electric guitar, a final volley of howls, and a series of crystalline synth reflections. Excellent track, and my personal favorite.
“World on My Shoulders,” after a powerful drum roll, kicks in with quick staccato chord strikes and a double-tracked vocal attack. And between swarms of musical devastation, a glowing synth arpeggio, perhaps representing a sliver of heavenly light, peeks through the clouds and briefly illuminates the battlefield.
“When Calamity Ceases to Exist,” another instrumental, is a peaceful, acoustic guitar-led interlude. Perhaps, after yet another battle with Hell’s forces, our heroes have time to reflect, to regain focus, and remember the greatness, the forgiveness, for which they fight.
“Fallen” is hyper-powered introspection as a synth arpeggio bounces above cavernous growls and relentless guitar strikes. But at about 1:32, sustained, melodic voices arrive amidst bestial growls and screeches. And after their salving gifts of glorious penance, the voices retract as the song fades to its chiming end.
Penultimate album closer “Divine Intervention,” after the bloodshed and catastrophic struggles of faith, arrives, finally, at enlightenment, at peace and acceptance:
“I felt the hand of God. So many times I almost gave up on life. So many times I have failed. You were the only One who never left me behind. In this crisis of self-inflicted criticism, I have accepted the fight on my hands. The blood has spilled before my eyes. The innocent have suffered affliction around me from the blood and devastation of the holier than thou. In the pain and suffering I have accepted that You are the only answer that can bring hope to mankind.”
It chugs, it bashes, it denies through electric rage its way to redemption, but ultimately, it attains – and accepts – the righteous path.
And finally, “Omega.” An instrumental, “Omega,” regardless of its driving guitar staccatos, presents a celebratory, victorious melody with accompanying synth strings and other magisterial, uplifting sonic pads. The drums are pounding, the drive relentless, but the melody implies achieved, perpetual peace. And as quickly as it paraded its heroes through the streets, “Omega” ends while echoing a final hopeful chord.
But is it actually good?
Do you like your metal fierce, furious, and soundtracking mankind’s final spiritual battle? Then you will absolutely love the epic ferocity of Relentless Pursuit’s new album, Ascension. It’s dark, it’s desperate, and it’s the thrashing infernal chaos of demons vs. man in the oft-cited end times. Ascension is the battle, the blood, and the Pyrrhic victory one attains to achieve clarity. Enlightenment. Salvation. Ascension is a warning, but also forced evolution. Ascension is certainly “good,” but the eternal struggle, both internal and external, makes it divine. Recommended.
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BELOW: Listen to Relentless Pursuit and check him out on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X, Spotify, and Apple Music. Please support Relentless Pursuit by visiting his website and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music. And, as always, thank you for supporting real music.
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