By: Richard Maw
Album Type: Full
Length
Date Released: 18/05/2018
Label: Independent
The best kept secret in technical death metal? Maybe not for much
longer- such is the dark and malevolent atmosphere of this album, I am
confident that Apocrophex will be mentioned in the same breath as the big
players of the genre. This record is a
must have
“Æternalis” CD//DD track listing:
1). Where
Temples Are Older Than Trees
2). Implanted
Genesis
3). Thwarting
Dogma
4). The
Oracle Room
5). Sovereign
Symbol
6). Pareidolia
7). A
Sentient Edifice
8). Neglected
Megalith
The Review:
Apocrophex are a
two man tech death tour de force from New
Jersey. Their last record, “Suspended From The Cosmic Altar”, really impressed me back in 2015,
so when the new album popped up in my inbox, I couldn't wait to hear it and get
into the band's latest musical vision.
Sure
enough, the band is on top form here. This is tech death of the most death
metal variety. The lowest of growl vocals, serpentine riffage and labyrinthine
song structures are the order of the day here. The vocals are mixed quite far
back but at the right level to compliment the songs. Justin Buell does a
phenomenal job on all instruments, while the vocals of Pete Colluci are
integral to how the album plays out.
A special
mention must be made here for Kevin Paradis who is playing here as a session
drummer. His incredible work is a vast improvement over the programmed drums of
“SFTCA” and really gives the record a
huge boost- what a performance as well, almost inhuman. The atmosphere here is
darker and more sinister than the debut and Buell works hard to make sure the
bass and guitars have their own personality rather than just everything
doubling everything else.
For
anyone with an interest in tech death, this record is a must have. It is very
brutal, very complex, very heavy and very technical. As is often the case,
picking stand out songs on a tech death album is not easy, so instead I can
reliably inform you that everything from “Where
Temples Are Older Than Trees” to “Neglected
Megalith” represents the very apex of the sub-genre. For this album to have
come from the vision of a two piece band is quite an achievement.
I have no
idea if Apocrophex
have any inkling to get a full time drummer and hit the road, or if they are
happy creating their sonic landscapes in the studio. Listened to in full, the
album is exhausting and breathtaking in all the best ways so either option is
surely there for them.
The best
kept secret in technical death metal? Maybe not for much longer- such is the
dark and malevolent atmosphere of this album, I am confident that Apocrophex
will be mentioned in the same breath as the big players of the genre- they
demonstrate just how far things have come from the days of Atheist, Cynic and Death whilst maintaining a solid link to those classic bands by way of
pushing the boundaries and the physical possibilities of what can be played.
“Æternalis” is
available here
