Reviewed - 04/01/05
The Continuum Hypothesis
[The End Records]
Only when reviewing metal can a writer use a term such as "hypertechnical blackened death thrash" and keep a straight face.
But that's just the multi-hyphenated genre classification to use when describing "The Continuum Hypothesis," the third and latest full-length endeavor by American quartet Epoch of Unlight. From galloping thrash riffs to black metal blast beats and layers of melodic darkness to distinctively death metal brutality… if you like extreme metal, there is something in Epoch of Unlight for you.
Epoch of Unlight are dark, heavy, technical, and about as brutal as metal gets. Fast blasts, rapid-fire double bass, and racecar guitar shredding are the name of the game here. Listening to "The Continuum Hypothesis" is like listening to Slayer's "Reign in Blood" on fast-forward. They are incredibly tight musicians, changing tempos without notice and playing three time signatures before you can even figure out what the first one was. But at the same time, technicality is not the single driving force behind Epoch of Unlight. It is all the elements of their music – thick heavy guitars, indescribably brutal percussion, and one of the most distinct vocals in extreme metal – that meet together to create such an awe-inspiring, flesh-flaying extreme metal sound.
On the other hand, there is a definite attention paid to riffs. "Argentum Era Secui Duos" opens with beautifully dark guitars, a slight decrease in tempo (compared to most Epoch of Unlight material, at least), and a passable attempt at clean vocals/spoken word. Personally, I am fine with this band keeping its voice exclusively harsh; new vocalist B.J. Cook has a sound that is instantly recognizable; while I typically refrain from letting other reviewers' words sway me in my own writing, I must agree with whomever referred to Epoch of Unlight as sounding like a "cartoon version of a black metal band." As far as vocals are concerned, it is an apt description, though no offense is intended… not to mention one that applies to previous Epoch of Unlight vocalist Jason Smith as well as Cook. Rather, Cook (and Smith) comes across as larger than life, almost exaggerated into hyperbole. He is one of those rare extreme metal vocalists who's growling or screaming could be recognized instantly in even the most innocuous of guest appearances.
Adding the occasional diversity to the usual onslaught of brutality is a sign that Epoch of Unlight are capable of far more than playing fast, technical metal. The aforementioned "Argentum Era Secui Duos" sees some clean, undistorted guitar, albeit in a dark, despondent manner. "Highgate" features an extended mid-tempo riff of the 'sounds like they're playing random notes' variety. Most of the songs on this album fall between four and six minutes in range, resulting in a perpetual onslaught of metal that is almost – but not quite – too long to listen to without feeling exhausted by the end.
I have had the distinct pleasure of witnessing this band play live, when they opened for Dimmu Borgir and Samael in 1999. Though my tastes in extreme metal were just beginning to mature at that point, I was smart enough to note that Epoch of Unlight was a fantastic band, and that I'd probably be hearing more from them in the future. Needless to say, I was right.
"The Continuum Hypothesis" is basically Epoch of Unlight cranked up a notch. It's not especially different from their previous releases, so fans of "What Will Be Has Been" or "Caught in the Unlight" will doubtless find this album to be to their liking. But at the same time, it is not a stagnation, nor merely a rehashing of previous material. "The Continuum Hypothesis" is the next step in this band's evolution, the tenants set forth in years past brought screaming and smashing into the present, with an eye towards the future. If you are a fan of death metal of the fastest, most brutal variety, and have not yet heard Epoch of Unlight, you are doing yourself a great musical disservice. Check these guys out. "The Continuum Hypothesis" will blow you away.
[The End Records]
Only when reviewing metal can a writer use a term such as "hypertechnical blackened death thrash" and keep a straight face.
But that's just the multi-hyphenated genre classification to use when describing "The Continuum Hypothesis," the third and latest full-length endeavor by American quartet Epoch of Unlight. From galloping thrash riffs to black metal blast beats and layers of melodic darkness to distinctively death metal brutality… if you like extreme metal, there is something in Epoch of Unlight for you.
Epoch of Unlight are dark, heavy, technical, and about as brutal as metal gets. Fast blasts, rapid-fire double bass, and racecar guitar shredding are the name of the game here. Listening to "The Continuum Hypothesis" is like listening to Slayer's "Reign in Blood" on fast-forward. They are incredibly tight musicians, changing tempos without notice and playing three time signatures before you can even figure out what the first one was. But at the same time, technicality is not the single driving force behind Epoch of Unlight. It is all the elements of their music – thick heavy guitars, indescribably brutal percussion, and one of the most distinct vocals in extreme metal – that meet together to create such an awe-inspiring, flesh-flaying extreme metal sound.
On the other hand, there is a definite attention paid to riffs. "Argentum Era Secui Duos" opens with beautifully dark guitars, a slight decrease in tempo (compared to most Epoch of Unlight material, at least), and a passable attempt at clean vocals/spoken word. Personally, I am fine with this band keeping its voice exclusively harsh; new vocalist B.J. Cook has a sound that is instantly recognizable; while I typically refrain from letting other reviewers' words sway me in my own writing, I must agree with whomever referred to Epoch of Unlight as sounding like a "cartoon version of a black metal band." As far as vocals are concerned, it is an apt description, though no offense is intended… not to mention one that applies to previous Epoch of Unlight vocalist Jason Smith as well as Cook. Rather, Cook (and Smith) comes across as larger than life, almost exaggerated into hyperbole. He is one of those rare extreme metal vocalists who's growling or screaming could be recognized instantly in even the most innocuous of guest appearances.
Adding the occasional diversity to the usual onslaught of brutality is a sign that Epoch of Unlight are capable of far more than playing fast, technical metal. The aforementioned "Argentum Era Secui Duos" sees some clean, undistorted guitar, albeit in a dark, despondent manner. "Highgate" features an extended mid-tempo riff of the 'sounds like they're playing random notes' variety. Most of the songs on this album fall between four and six minutes in range, resulting in a perpetual onslaught of metal that is almost – but not quite – too long to listen to without feeling exhausted by the end.
I have had the distinct pleasure of witnessing this band play live, when they opened for Dimmu Borgir and Samael in 1999. Though my tastes in extreme metal were just beginning to mature at that point, I was smart enough to note that Epoch of Unlight was a fantastic band, and that I'd probably be hearing more from them in the future. Needless to say, I was right.
"The Continuum Hypothesis" is basically Epoch of Unlight cranked up a notch. It's not especially different from their previous releases, so fans of "What Will Be Has Been" or "Caught in the Unlight" will doubtless find this album to be to their liking. But at the same time, it is not a stagnation, nor merely a rehashing of previous material. "The Continuum Hypothesis" is the next step in this band's evolution, the tenants set forth in years past brought screaming and smashing into the present, with an eye towards the future. If you are a fan of death metal of the fastest, most brutal variety, and have not yet heard Epoch of Unlight, you are doing yourself a great musical disservice. Check these guys out. "The Continuum Hypothesis" will blow you away.
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Tracklist:
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| Rating: 9/10 | |
| Release Date: 2005 | |
| Length: 53:14 | |
| Review By: F. Justin Ossmann | |
| Total Reviews: (1) | |
| Bands Website: Go Here | |
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