Devolved
Oblivion ()
Wydane przez Unique Leader RecordsRok wydania Kraj USANapisał Wouter7
What would Fear Factory have sounded like had they opted to go for a more extreme and technical sound instead of one of accessibility and groove? Devolved attempt to answer that question on their second record for Los Osos, California label Unique Leader Records. Compared to “Calculated” (which was originally released in 2004 by Modern Music, but re-issued in 2010 by their current label) the guitar work is far more varied and melodic here, John Sankey’s drumming is still blast-oriented but his salvos are restrained while vocalist Kyle Zemanek’s dry and smoked sounding vocals now include sparse segments of emotional clean singing. Unlike the failed experiments by Cryptopsy on their critically panned “The Unspoken King” Devolved actually make these sections work. “Oblivion” as an album is better paced as are the track themselves. These songs are structured better with a more conscious flow while doing no concessions as far as brutality and technicality is concerned. A track such as ‘Virus’ proves that Devolved can sound powerful and menacing at midpace. The industrial bits, samples and loops are still present and give Devolved a cold and synthetic aura. The cover of Slayer live staple ‘Disciple’ is a nice touch. Like “Calculated” before it “Oblivion” comes with stunning digital artwork that is absolutely amazing. While Devolved isn’t breaking down any genre borders their work in the cyber/industrial metal is at least done convincingly and proves they can measure themselves with any of the big names in the genre. Calculated, precise and spot-on “Oblivion” sees Devolved taking their sound to its logical conclusion. Their fourth album will cement their position as genre luminaries.
www.uniqueleader.com
