Having already dropped a handful of short-form studio releases, Massachusetts Progressive Death Metal act Ancient Death finally unleash Ego Dissolution (Profound Lore Records), their full-length debut album. Having already built up a well-deserved reputation in just a few short years, the four-piece from Walpole throw their psychedelic hat into a ring occupied by such luminaries as Gorguts and current darlings of the scene Blood Incantation.
By exploring themes such as depression, grief, inner peace, and personal growth, the band hope people will eventually learn to be more empathetic, both to themselves and others. Wishful thinking, perhaps as only recently, one of the most influential people on the planet referred to empathy as “a fundamental weakness of Western civilization.”
Still, what better way to rally against those who view compassion as a disadvantage than with songs like the title track. Exploding with a frenetic burst of raw energy, the opener soon twists itself into a slower melodic structure with clean notes and Steve DiGiorgio-esque bass playing from Jasmine Alexander before the crushing final part piles on the speed and aggression.
After an overwhelming flurry of drums and screaming lead guitar, “Breaking The Barriers Of Hope” metamorphoses into a slower, darker beast with some sensational soloing from guitarist Ray Brouwer while axe partner and vocalist Jerry Witunsky (also of Death Metal legends Atheist) roars until his throat bursts.
“Breathe – Transcend (Into The Glowing Streams Of Forever)” opens with a slow bass rumble, guitar effects, and Jazzy open strings, Alexander displaying her non-growly vocal prowess with breathy, ethereal clean tones as the song shifts effortlessly between Progressive Rock and full-on blasting. Elsewhere, the celestial trippiness of instrumental piece “Journey To The Inner Soul” answers the question of what the The Doors would have sounded like as a Progressive Death Metal act while the multifaceted “Echoing Chambers Within The Dismal Mind” returns to the band’s more aggressive nature before allowing Alexander to thrill with more clean vocals.
“Unspoken Oath” possesses an almost hypnotic quality with its labyrinthine twists and turns, off-kilter drumming from Derek Malone Moniz and pulsing basslines barely hidden underneath the coiled riffs and hallucinogenic soloing. Brief but emotive instrumental “Discarnate” plays out against ocean waves crashing against the shore before brooding and introspective final cut “Violet Light Decays” closes the record with pure atmospheric drama.
A jigsaw puzzle of ever-shifting moods, complex drum patterns, and perplexing time signatures, Ego Dissolution never affords you the comfort of standing on even ground for more than a moment or two. From primordial roars to intricate musicianship, the foundations move ceaselessly beneath your feet as you journey to a Progressive Death Metal elsewhere.
Buy the album here:
https://ancient-death.bandcamp.com/album/ego-dissolution
8 / 10
GARY ALCOCK
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