Friday, January 6, 2023

Entry 205 - Artificial Brain - Artificial Brain

 

Technical death metal is a very hit and miss genre with me. Many if not all of the bands that play the style try to show off their technical prowess. Unfortunately this is often interpreted as assaulting the listener with as many notes as possible in as short of time as possible.

Every now and then though you get a band that stands out. Not only for their technical prowess but their ability to create genuinely memorable songs. This is where Artificial Brain comes in.

The self titled album from these guys marries memorable musical moments with incredibly intricate and complex riffs and melodies. The band will cycle between different tempos, structures, and various levels of melody and dissonance effortlessly. I don't think there was one transition in the entire album that felt jarring.

Artificial Brain does more than that though. At least four to five times a listen I have to stop what I'm doing and listen. Celestial Cyst has an INSANE guitar melody that weaves its way into my head and just wont leave. Parasite Signal weaves between a fast intricate riff and then out of no where pulls out this incredible slow tempo section that just blows my mind every time I hear it.

The album is filled with small details that keep adding up to elevate the band from good into the realm of the elite in the genre. A keyboard melody in the background to add a bit more texture; a guitar interaction that demands attention; the insanely deep vocals... everything just works in this album.

This album is incredible, likely the best death metal album of the year for me. It's one of those rare albums that is firmly within its genre yet still manages to push the boundaries further. Simply amazing music.

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