ALBUM REVIEW: Super 90′ – Kadinja

When anyone adds the terms ‘France’ and ‘Metal’ into a conversation the go-to band is usually GOJIRA but there is certainly something in the water as a variety of highly skilled french artists are rising to the surface. One in particular is tech metal outfit KADINJA. Hoping to build on the acclaim gathered by their debut album Ascendancy the quintet are poised to release the eagerly anticipated follow up entitled Super ’90 which is due for release on January 18th via Nuclear Blast Records, can they continue their rise to prominence?

KADINJA bring the riffs early as Empire bursts into life with a vigorous assault of high energy instrumentation. Seamlessly meshing melody and frenzied djent beats Super 90′ hits the ground running. From The Inside maintains the tempo with crazy progressive experimentation and delicate atmospherics which will push all the buttons for any TESSERACT fans in the building. The transitions between soaring highs and thunderous lows provided by front man Philippe Charny Dewandre assist in offering a different dimension to the French outfit. The Modern Rage introduces further flurries of down-tuned pummelling riffs alongside floaty jazz infused sections to keep the listener guessing. The consistency shows no signs of wavering.

Icon shakes it up with a slower pace and adept bass lines whilst still maintaining the technicality. Don’t be surprised if your humming the delightfully infectious chorus lines for a few hours afterwards. The Right Escape combines the best of both worlds with patches of masterfully executed riff work intertwined with calmer ambience. Towards the latter stages the track descends into chaos with some maniacal mathcore instrumentation which spills over into the whirling dervish that is Veronique. There are absolutely zero punches pulled on this track. Everything is amped, from the searing screams to the crazy guitar work this is definitely one of the stand out tracks on offer and shows the sheer ferocity which KADINJA are capable of.

Episteme provides the opportunity for you to sew your ears back on after the aural battering which just unfolded with some tasteful acoustic vibes and smooth, tranquil vocals. Strive gears up for another round of bedlam with a syncopated barrage laced with subtle melodies. Vicious growls and scathing screams elevate the energy of the track as it ebbs and flows. Muted Rain shows little sign of weariness as swift rap-like verses open the track. Dense, powerful slabs of riffing follow suit as the realms of death metal open for a short period.

As we approach the home stretch House Of Cards throws swathes of intense instrumentation in your direction transitioning between jabbing guitar work and layered atmospherics to create another chunk of addictive musicianship before curtain closer Avec Tout Mon Amour provides a warm down with chilled yet upbeat string work. The bouncy drumming ensures the tempo maintains an energetic edge. Whilst the majority of this track is solely instrumental there are a few instances of impressive vocal choruses.

The tech metal scene is so ridiculously stacked its a wonder that any band dares to stand toe to toe with the likes of PERIPHERY, PROTEST THE HERO, ANIMALS AS LEADERS and company but KADINJA fearlessly hold their own and Super ’90 is one of the freshest sounding progressive albums the genre has been blessed with in the last few years. They effortlessly blend scintillating, emotive melodies with skull crushing riff attacks and it is impossible not to become enamoured with their boundless levels of vigour. Keep your eye on this band as they’re destined to be perched up on top of the tech metal mountain and rightfully so.

Rating: 9/10

Super 90′ is out now via Arising Empire. 

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