Compared to 2009, this year hasn’t been quite the landslide of killer tech/brutal death metal. But over the last few weeks the likes of Aeon, Brain Drill, Fleshrot, Syn:Drom and Deivos have made 2010 slightly more respectable.
As with 2008’s Apocalyptic Feasting, Brain Drill are still plying a form of über technical, noodly, Origin-like death metal that culls heavily from the California-scene (Odium Mortem, Severed Savior, Decrepit Birth), but as you can tell by the album title, the band has gotten a little more intellectual. Gone are titles like “Forcefed Human Shit” and “Swine Slaughter”, replaced by the likes of “Obliteration Untold”, “Mercy to None”, “Nemesis of Neglect”, “Enemy of Extinction” and other Suffocation song title leftovers.
The sound, while still ridiculously technical, seems to have been reigned in just a bit, as the new line up, seems to be more focused on songs, not just skill. Notably new drummer Ron Casey (Flesh Consumed)―replacing human whirlwind Marco Pitruzzella―displays more control than pure speed. However, new bassist Ivan Munguia (Odious Mortem) is indistinguishable from Jeff Hugnall with his super complex, twangy assault. Of course, the main show is still Dylan Ruskin and his intricate, sweep filled vortexes that drive each song into a dervish of unbridled ferocity.
As with most albums of this style, Brain Drill has not quite figured out how to make the technicality memorable, like, say Fleshgod Apocalypse, Decrepit Birth or Origin. But they are very close. Songs like “Mercy to None”, “Monumental Failure” and certainly the 16-minute closing title track, contain plenty of sweeping, blistering savagery. And speaking of the title track, like the title track from Origin’s Antithesis, Brain Drill keep up the intensity 10 of the 16 minutes, with the last six being some needless programming and FX. However, it’s worth the price of admission as it shows an increased ability to make songs effective, not just technical or brutal; that’s promising for the next release.
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As long as there are no breakdowns, this sounds like something I’d like.
on May 21st, 2010 at 04:38This is technical death metal, no breakdowns or “core” influences, the review is 100% spot on, if you like over the top technical stuff then this is for you.
on May 21st, 2010 at 08:47Yeah this is definitely uber-technical… almost too much so…listened to in the other day and can’t tell if I like it or not. Didn’t even know this was coming out until I saw it at CD Warehouse the other day.
on May 21st, 2010 at 17:17notey does not mean technical. to me, this record is way less Origin (substantial, technical death metal), and way more The Faceless (cartoonish death metal leanings by hardcore kids). there is nothing savage about it. i can maybe see necrophagist comparisons but that band at least has riffs. you can tell “core-influence” by whether real riffs are passed off in favor of flashy sweep picked runs every five seconds. you don’t have to be slapped in the face with breakdowns all the time to know when that agenda is masquerading as death metal. the deathcore demographic can’t hear actual riffs, so the most superficially “insane” sounding guitar theatrics (sweep arpeggios) tend to be viewed as technical.
on May 22nd, 2010 at 18:48do not be fooled!
the notion that people actually like this band amuses me.
on May 23rd, 2010 at 15:01Their first album was impressive/tolerable enough but can’t see how they expect their sound to catch on.
on May 23rd, 2010 at 15:47best fucking album ever ! i don’t know what the fuck you guys are talking about .
on May 23rd, 2010 at 19:20I think me and Jerry listened to two different CDs, since the first thing I thought of when I heard all that insane sweep picking was “wow, Origin.” Certainly didn’t think of the Faceless at all (Or for that matter Necrophagist.) Go figure.
on May 24th, 2010 at 23:33watch this:
on May 25th, 2010 at 00:32http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV4n8fJGip0
if you think origin would ever play anything that cartoonish, you’re fooling yourself.
now watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l42IqmLJauw&feature=related
fucking deathcore bands.
Come on Jerry, The Faceless RULE dude!!!! Planetary Duality is a damn fine album and its DEATH METAL nothing core about it, sure they might look like douchenozzles, but they are still badass.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRF0cPnw0A0
on May 25th, 2010 at 07:48i’d rather take a drill to my brain than sit through this again.
on May 27th, 2010 at 10:33This pisses all over Immolation’s Majesty And Decay. Best death metal album of the year, yo!
Just kidding vugel! :P
on May 27th, 2010 at 12:40Please refrain from assassinating me. :D
on May 27th, 2010 at 12:40I can see how people don’t like this album, but I actually it, sometimes I am in the mood for overly technical death metal.
on May 28th, 2010 at 02:11