Monday 16 May 2016

Scientist - "10100II00101" (Album Review)

By: Charlie Butler


Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 05/08/2016
Label: Hell Comes Home



Storming opener “The Singularity” distils the key elements of this record into five and a half minutes. Chittering harmonics give way to the sledgehammer impact of furious, frantic riffing moving into anthemic sludge and finishing with an epic post-metal flourish. Imagine the best bits of American Heritage, Clutch and ISIS delivered with the seismic impact of Mastodon’s “Remission”.  “1010II0101” is a pioneering piece of research at the cutting edge of riff technology that demands your attention.

“10100II00101” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). The Singularity
2). Siege/Capture/Control
3). The Lighthouse
4). Baptistina
5). Luminal
6). Gravity Well
7). LIMB
8). Physcian Heal Thyself
9). Orbital
10). Bloodless, Breathless
11). 1010II0101

The Review:

There’s a certain weight of expectation that goes along with naming your band “Scientist”. Mental images of bespectacled boffins performing compositions of time-warping complexity spring to mind. Chicago quartet Scientist definitely delivers mind-bending riffcraft on “10100II00101” but this album is far from a sterile laboratory creation.

Storming opener “The Singularity” distils the key elements of this record into five and a half minutes. Chittering harmonics give way to the sledgehammer impact of furious, frantic riffing moving into anthemic sludge and finishing with an epic post-metal flourish. Imagine the best bits of American Heritage, Clutch and ISIS delivered with the seismic impact of Mastodon’sRemission”.

Over the subsequent 55 minutes, Scientist embarks on a sprawling yet compelling journey through a bewildering number of styles. “Siege/Capture/Control” begins in crushing doom territory like Scott Kelly fronting Crowbar before launching into another pummelling onslaught.  “Orbital” is a searing instrumental math-metal assault, piling riff upon riff with increasing intensity. Scientist always keep things interesting dynamically, offering some light and shade during the progressive voyage of “Gravity Well” and the ambient interlude of “Limb”. 

They also throw in a couple of curveballs with an almost commercial edge. “The Lighthouse” sounds like an armour-plated Deftones complete with an unexpected melodic chorus and “Physician Heal Thyself” blends almost jazzy interludes with their trademark crunch in a catchy way reminiscent of recent Dillinger Escape Plan. Both of these tracks work well in the context of the album and add more range to their wide sonic spectrum.

Scientist have managed to birth a real beast here, a record with true depth that will keep you coming back to discover more with every listen. “10100II00101” is a pioneering piece of research at the cutting edge of riff technology that demands your attention.

“10100II00101” is available here


Band info: bandcamp | facebook