ALBUM REVIEW: Contrarian, "Their Worm Never Dies"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 15/03/2019

Label: Willowtip Records

if you miss latter day Death, feast your ears on Atheist or love the Cynic debut then this will be music to your ears, because this is impressive stuff.

“Their Worm Never Dies” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Vaskania (The Evil Eye)

2. Exorcism
3. My Curse
4. The Petition
5. Among The Misled
6. Their Worm Never Dies
7. Whomsoever Worships the Whiteworm

The Review:

Technical and progressive death metal is surely an acquired taste- particularly when it comes with the jazzy inflections that bands such as Contrarian deliver by the bucketload. I reviewed the debut “Polemic” back in 2015, but I missed their sophomore effort, “To Perceive Is To Suffer”. 

So, what have the Rochester, New York, based outfit come up with this time around? Well, it once again references the past greats of the niche genre; latter day Death and Cynic are both in there. Naturally, George Kollias being behind the kit is a huge draw for many DM heads anyway. However, this is no Nile re-tread as he plays technical and jazzy; he's using brushes at the start of “Exorcism” for satan's sake! The sound is pretty great- quite spacious and not too slick. In fact, there is audible hiss and an almost demo like quality to the sound. It's not compressed beyond believe and it sounds authentic, old school and “real” in a way that albums made on pro tools grids alone do not. The drum sound may take a little getting used to, but that is for the listener to decide on. Don't expect boxy and muted sounds... but don't expect zero triggers either!

As the record progresses, it's clear that a fan of the first album will like this one; the leads that open “My Curse” are great, the vocals are another selling point; closer to Schuldiner than Corpsegrinder and they help by dialling down the brutality- this is not hyper-aggressive stuff. The riff passages are excellent and the clean intro of “The Petition” segues perfectly into some mesmerising riffage.

The progressive riffing of “Among The Misled” coupled with the off kilter rhythms does a great job of making the listener pay attention (cracking bass work, too). The title track is three minutes of melancholy vibes and keen lead work- an unexpected twist in the album's tale. The closing eight minutes of “Whomsoever Worships The Whiteworm” is the most extreme track on here, in terms of structure, delivery and sounds. The bass is super dexterous the time changes come thick and fast and the playing is sublime. 

To sum up, then, this third album is a highly credible slice of technical and progressive death metal. This is for all fans of any of the bands mentioned here in comparative terms. Just like the debut, if you miss latter day Death, feast your ears on Atheist or love the Cynic debut then this will be music to your ears. Impressive stuff. 

“Their Worm Never Dies” is available HERE

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Apocrophex, “Æternalis”

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

Band info: bandcamp|| facebook

Contrarian - "Polemic" (Album Review)

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 20/11/2015

Label: Willowtip Records

Far more nuanced than Nile, this is a tour de force of modern tech death, done in a way which recalls old school tech death(!). No blasting, no mindlessly labyrinthine and continuously brutal riffage. What you get is jazz infused death metal with the kind of subtlety not heard for quite some time.

“Polemic” CD//DD track listring:

1). Polemic

2). Need for Apathy

3). Retrieval

4). Foreknowledge

5). Predestined

6). Libertarian Manifesto

7). Diogenes at Delphi

8). Nothing is Everything

Contrarian is:

Jim Tasikas | Guitars

Ed Paulsen | Bass

Brian Mason | Guitars

Leon Macey | Guitars (Lead)

Cody McConnell | Vocals

George Kollias | Drums

The Review:

Death metal- of the progressive/tech infused kind is what you will find on this record which features the inimitable George Kollias on drums (whose right foot speed is now up to 280bpm, apparently!). It will come as a surprise to none of you that  the production is crystal clear, the bass work sublime and jazz inflected and the vocals very low indeed (think Nile). The opening title track sets the tone, albeit with some blast type sections, while “Need for Apathy” and “Retrieval” further cement the way the record is going to be (there are some interesting sections therein which may surprise you a little, too).

The likes of “Foreknowledge” and “Predestined” don't stray too far from the Atheist meets Nile meets late period Death template, while the excellent “Libertarian Manifesto” features some fantastic playing from Kollias and is a real stand out. Excellent lead work makes this shape shifting track an absolute joy. Far more nuanced than Nile, this is a tour de force of modern tech death, done in a way which recalls old school tech death(!). No blasting, no mindlessly labyrinthine and continuously brutal riffage. What you get is jazz infused death metal with the kind of subtlety not heard for quite some time.

“Diogenes at Delphi” is complex and dreamy, with swathes of synth here and there and excellent use of dynamics. The time signatures stray well outside of 4:4 and the track meanders along a very twisted path indeed. The riff at the four minute mark is excellent, by the way, as is the clean and airy section that closes. “Nothing is Everything” will be familiar to anyone who listened to “Individual Thought Patterns”... as it is a cover from that absolute classic of death metal. A finer album to find in the genre is a hard task (“Symbolic” just pips it, in my humble opinion) and Contrarian really do the song justice. The reproduction is faithful with DiGiorgio and Hoglan's parts being admirably laid down. The vocals go low, in keeping with the rest of the album, and the guitars are, forgive me, set to stun.

I enjoyed the record hugely- non aggressive death metal with more than a nod to Atheist, Cynic and Death, played by some of the best in the business. I recommend giving it a go, even if you have never liked death metal or lost interest in the genre at some point in the 1990's. It will take you back and it may even take you to some new musical territory as well.

“Polemic” is available here

FFO: Nile, Atheist, Cynic, Death

Band info: facebook | official | twitter

Atheist - ‘Unquestionable Presence’ Reissue (Album Review)

‘Overall, then, this record still stands as a landmark for tech-death, metal/jazz fusion and all progression in the genre of metal. It is a classic and absolutely essential…’

Album Type: Full-Length (Reissue)

Date Released: 27/07/2015

Label: Season of Mist

‘Unquestionable Presence’ CD//DVD// Reissue track listing:

01. Mother Man
02. Unquestionable Presence
03. Your Life's Retribution
04. Enthralled in Essence
05. An Incarnation's Dream
06. The Formative Years
07. Brains
08. And the Psychic Saw

Pre-production demo:9. Enthralled in Essence
10. The Formative Years
11. Unquestionable Presence
12. An Incarnation's Dream
13. Retribution (instrumental)
14. Brains (instrumental)

Demo 1990:15. Enthralled in Essence

Drums & bass tracks:16. Mother Man

Rhythm tracks:17. And the Psychic Saw

Atheist were on this recording:

Kelly Shaefer | guitars, vocals
Tony Choy | bass
Roger Patterson | music
Steve Flynn | drums
Rand Burkey | guitars

Review:

Atheist. Florida. 1991. These three facts should be very descriptive about the content held herein this lavish reissue... However, this is nothing like Morbid Angel, Cannibal Corpse, Deicide, Malevolent Creation, Obituary et al (not that those bands sound anything like each other anyway- they are only banded by sub genre). In fact, this album has more in common with the direction that Death would head in a year or two later, but is still not comparable. Perhaps Cynic would be a better comparison as this is technical death metal of the earliest and finest variety. The first couple of minutes really marks Atheist and this album out as different. These good ol' boys, way down south in redneck territory were pioneers, carving out a brain twisting path through the musical swamp.

There are a lot of fusion elements here- some of the playing is really jazzy- and yes, that is across the board; rhythm section and guitars. Sure, there are riffs aplenty (all change, all the time!), solos and the virtuoso bass performance but there is something about this record that is very much ahead of this time. If I didn't know that this record was nearly 25 years old I never would have guessed as the production is superb. Everything cuts superbly, which is no mean feat considering how much is going on. The drums are tight and punchy (no pro tools at this time and I assume a limited recording budget so these guys must really have the chops), the bass noodles expertly and the vocals are nowhere near as extreme as some other DM acts from this or any other period. I guess this is like a more cerebral or even jazz version of Death at their peak (which as very cerebral in iteself!).

It is very interesting to note that while technical means exactly that, progressive here does not mean “play aimlessly for ten minutes plus while everything goes nowhere”- all the songs are very short compared to modern standards; four minutes being a reasonable average. The likes of “Enthralled in Essence” are very weighty in places, but not all the time as there is plenty of use of dynamics and odd rhythms. The double bass drums are not continual and blasting is not a feature. Acoustic guitars feature here and there in intros (excellent) and there is a very palpable sense that the band were really trying to excel themselves on this sophomore effort; better playing, better production, better composition.

There are some very odd poly-rhythms here and there, lots of syncopation, and lots of changes. A track by track analysis is worthless here; suffice it to say that there is a lot of technical metal for your delectation. Bonus tracks are included which feature bassist Roger Patterson, who sadly died before the record proper was recorded. His bass lines survived and were re-created, so the album still stands as testimony to his incredible skills.

Overall, then, this record still stands as a landmark for tech-death, metal/jazz fusion and all progression in the genre of metal. It is a classic and absolutely essential, particularly if you ever stick on an Opeth album and think it sounds too much like AC/DC. As technical as it gets.

Words by: Richard Maw

‘Unquestionable Presence’ is available here

For more information:

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