The inclusion of progressive elements in an otherwise ruthlessly precise death metal album presents a dynamic range often forgotten, or ignored, within much of the technical death metal genre. This keen desire to explore and experiment with their sound sets Inanimate Existence apart from so many. While intense riffs are still written around mind-boggling time signatures it's the contribution of guest musicians, incorporating bongos, harps and other instruments to the band's mad science that has resulted in the transcendent sophomore release A Never-Ending Cycle of Atonement.
While the idea of a harp melody being played alongside a brutal riff may seem taboo, even oxymoronic, to the genre's very nature, it's the incredibly bold experimentation that creates a far stronger allure than the usual 50 minutes of sweep-picking dogma that the genre has become. The band have expanded on their psychedelic ideas from their debut release without compromising their technical roots, breaking and twisting the concept of melody and harmony to fit their intricate creative visions. The final three tracks, "Staring Through Fire," "Out of Body Experience" and "Dueling Shadows," are a testament to the band's virtuosity and reflect the ascending nature of Inanimate Existence's latest release.
(Unique Leader)While the idea of a harp melody being played alongside a brutal riff may seem taboo, even oxymoronic, to the genre's very nature, it's the incredibly bold experimentation that creates a far stronger allure than the usual 50 minutes of sweep-picking dogma that the genre has become. The band have expanded on their psychedelic ideas from their debut release without compromising their technical roots, breaking and twisting the concept of melody and harmony to fit their intricate creative visions. The final three tracks, "Staring Through Fire," "Out of Body Experience" and "Dueling Shadows," are a testament to the band's virtuosity and reflect the ascending nature of Inanimate Existence's latest release.
