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1. M∆chine 2. Divergency 3. Mindful 4. Exhil∆r∆te 5. ∆bsolution 6. The Origin 7. ∆eon III 8. Im∆gin∆ry Condition 9. Illusionist 10. Source Field 11. Venge∆nce |
Deathcore is currently one of the most prominent sub-genres in metal. While loved and hated by many (not at the same time obviously) many bands have not done much to allow deathcore to be taken seriously. Pointless repetitive chugging, high shrieks and bass drops are better left to slam death metal bands in my opinion.
However, there are a select few bands out there seeking to make deathcore more credible as a sub-genre. Along with Thy Art Is Murder and After The Burial (to an extent anyway), Born Of Osiris is one of those rare talents in a sea of generic shite. This is their follow up to 2011's excellent "The Discovery". Mixing spacey/spiritual themes with their music, while still maintaining a predominantly deathcore-esque musical style has set them apart from the pack and helped elevate them to one of American metal's rising stars.
Opener "M∆chine" starts with an ominous orchestral section before all hell breaks loose. Cameron Losch and David Darocha still provide an excellent driving yet technical rhythm section, while the vocal duo of lead vocalist Ronnie Canizaro and keyboard player Joe Buras still provides a fantastic contrast. Deep growls from Ronnie and high shrieks from Joe, all the while being completely comprehensible. Since the departure of Jason Richardson (under slightly hostile circumstances, depending on the source), Lee McKinney has handled all guitar work on this album, and he does admirably.
Track 2, "Divergency" starts off with a catchy djent themed riff which repeats throughout before a Ronnie growl's the album's title in lyrical form and a thunderous breakdown kicks in, mixing seamlessly with dubstep style electronics to create a very interesting and altogether different breakdown entirely. However this is not crunkcore or any other shit like that in any way whatsoever, the band stay on theme all the way through the section and by the end I feel dizzy from headbanging and stomping around my room to the breakdown like a teenager.
"Mindful" and "Exhil∆r∆te" carry on from the record's strong start, "Exhil∆r∆te" in particular having an excellent closing verse,"This is endless power, coursing through our veins. Triumphant in this hour, you will never look at us the same." Powerful lyrics that fit the theme of strength and spirituality inherent on this record.
"∆bsolution" and "The Origin" both allow the synths to take centre stage at one point or another but keep the album plodding along at breakneck pace, while "∆eon III" and "Im∆gin∆ry Condition" (as you've probably gathered by now, ∆ replaces the letter a everywhere on this album) feature some excellent tremelo picked riffs, pinched harmonics and sweepy lead parts. However some of the best sweeps on the album are definitely in the mid section of "Illusionist". Truly superb. "Source Field" also adds some vaguely oriental themes through the use of synths and changes it up nicely towards the end of the album, however it's closer "Venge∆nce" that steals the show. Full of technicality, melody and ferocity. The album ends just how it began, full of atmosphere and fury before slowly fading out to a spacey electronic section that leaves a lingering mystery to the overall tone of the record.
In summary, this album follows on nicely from "The Discovery", and while some more solos would have been nice the band still manage to do what they do extremely well, with a large range of sounds and styles and some thought provoking lyrics concerning the soul, metaphysics, space and religion. If you liked "The Discovery" you'll fucking love this so get on it!!!
8/10
For fans of: Aegaeon, After The Burial, Veil Of Maya
Tomorrow We Die ∆live is out now on Sumerian Records
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