Cariosus is a new young Chicago duo comprised of Alex Pfister on vocals/bass and Kevin Kryszak on guitars (I can’t find any drummer information, so maybe programmed? They sound fine if so).

The duo plays a form of modern metal that pulls from metalcore, melodic death metal, deathcore and such that leans into bands like The Black Dahlia Murder, Unearth, and some of the more competent but ultimately forgettable 00s bands like Graves of Valor, The Famine, The Soulless, Salt the Wound, Sons of Azrael and such.

And much like the above bands, it’s well produced well played and has a razor-sharp production with a plethora of slicing At The Gates-inspired riffs, some breakdowns, dual vocals and just to make sure they have all bases covered, a little injection of keyboards and atmospherics here and there.

From opener “The Narrow Path” to closer “Heaven’s Portent”, the 8 songs all deliver that mid/late 00s level of energy and enthusiasm, with Alex Pfister certainly going all out, especially on his witch-like shrieks and howls.  But only a couple of tracks retained my interest such as “All Too Human” as it has a little more variety and atmosphere, the moodier “Sword of Damocles” and “Heaven’s Portent”, where the keyboards have an increased role.

Not a game-changing debut, but certainly one with some promise and a duo that has a bright future if they keep at it, and get a little ore dynamic and adventurous with their songwriting.

 

[Visit the band's website]

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