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May 17, 2012 |
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01. In Perfection
02. 24 Hours Left
03. What If
04. State Unknown
05. Central Tunnel Eight
06. Life Surrounds
07. C.S.I.
08. Sufferstream
09. Receive, Retrieve, & Escalate
10. Complete
11. Slow Chemical - Control H (Outro)
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I've been putting this one off for some time. For the better part of a month now I find myself returning to it again and again in an effort to crystallize my thoughts as I struggle to put into words my feelings towards this killer release which I am quite honestly enjoying the hell out of...all the while doing my best to listen to the 'Angel Of Objectivity' perched firmly upon my shoulder who even now is yelling at me for praising what is really just the latest in a looonnnggg string of third-tier Melodic Swedish Death Metal offerings.
CIPHER SYSTEM (featuring new up-'n-comers Peter Engstrom/electronics, Henric Carlsson/bass, Daniel Scholdstrom/vocals, Pontus Andersson/drums, Magnus Ohlander/guitar, and Johan Eskilsson/lead guitar) are just that too, if one is totally honest...the latest offering from the Gothenburg Academy for NWOSDM. I mean, there is very little on offer here on this debut effort that hasn't been done many, many, many times over by everyone from IN FLAMES, to DARK TRANQUILLITY, to SOILWORK, to ARCH ENEMY, to GARDENIAN, to pretty much every U.S. Metalcore act, to...well...well obviously a LOT of other people. So right off the bat, from a pure 'originality' standpoint these youngsters aren't getting very many points in their favour.
But damn it all...after a good dozen or so listens from start to finish I daresay one would have to be stone cold soulless not to admit that - lack of originality aside - these guys can PLAY! I think I said it in a recent review for someone else, but I'm gonna say it again: this is a classic example of how sometimes it's not a matter of doing something different that counts. It's simply a matter of doing something well. And man, playing hook-laden, technically adroit, shredding Euro-Death with stirring, anthemic melodies and full-throttle, high-octane frosted aggression is something these Swedes do very damned well indeed!
This thing just doesn't let up from start to finish! And with nary a bunk track to be found I can't help but shake my head in amazement at how green the pedigree of the band is as everyone here plays with the fire of seasoned pros. Hook after relentless hook just pulls you in with gleaming, icy fingers; from the battery of opener 'In Perfection' through the storming 'What If' and the title track, right through the blistering arpeggios of 'Receive, Retrieve & Escalate' this is just first-rate, excellent, excellent Gothernburg-style NWOSDM. And the key is in the strong simple song structures wherein more than the usual bare minimum of thought has been applied to the riffs, as well as the presence of an obvious, tangible drive and hunger which puts the performances in a league all their own. A definite must-buy for anyone and everyone already bowing before the altars of the aforementioned innovators of the form who is looking for even more to sink their teeth into.
And to be totally fair, I have to admit that there is at least an inkling of innovation in the band's approach which seems to take a page out of Proggists ANDROMEDA's book in a liberal use of shimmering techno/electronic shades and textures wrought throughout by keysman Engstrom. His work here does much upon deeper analysis in raising this beast a hairs-breadth above the rest of the pack in terms of creating what will I hope over time develop into a more defined, and original sound. I will be interested in seeing where these guys go come album number two.
And there you have it. Blindingly ambitious and original? Errrmmm...not really. Or more accurately, 'not yet' at any rate. Infectiously hooky, absorbing, and enjoyable? Without doubt! Hell...it's downright addictive! If you like your Metal strongly Swedish in flavour, with lots of aggressive melody, technical flourishes, and loaded with more hooks and catches than an ice-fisherman from Uppsala...then seek this out at all costs my friends! Sooo...that said, in true Metal fashion I am officially flicking that annoying angel from my shoulder to make room for the little devil instead. He's more fun anyway. Originality??? Schmoriginality! Third-tier??? Schmird-tier! It's kicking ass that really matters! So 'nuff said. It's officially time to quit typing, go to the fridge, crack a cold one, and throw on some more great Metal. With an album like 'Central Tunnel Eight' at my disposal I know I won't be disappointed either.
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