Brain Drill
Quantum Catastrophe

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.

[Visit the band's website]
Written by Erik T
May 21st, 2010

Comments

  1. Commented by: Facial La Fleur

    As long as there are no breakdowns, this sounds like something I’d like.


  2. Commented by: mccumberv

    This 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.


  3. Commented by: Reignman35

    Yeah 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.


  4. Commented by: jerry

    notey 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.
    do not be fooled!


  5. Commented by: vugelnox

    the notion that people actually like this band amuses me.


  6. Commented by: Omens

    Their first album was impressive/tolerable enough but can’t see how they expect their sound to catch on.


  7. Commented by: jake

    best fucking album ever ! i don’t know what the fuck you guys are talking about .


  8. Commented by: Storm King

    I 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.


  9. Commented by: jerry

    watch this:
    http://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.


  10. Commented by: mccumberv

    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


  11. Commented by: Eric

    i’d rather take a drill to my brain than sit through this again.


  12. Commented by: Cynicgods

    This pisses all over Immolation’s Majesty And Decay. Best death metal album of the year, yo!

    Just kidding vugel! :P


  13. Commented by: Cynicgods

    Please refrain from assassinating me. :D


  14. Commented by: Li Heng

    I can see how people don’t like this album, but I actually it, sometimes I am in the mood for overly technical death metal.


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