ALBUM REVIEW: Epicenter – Aviana

Swedish natives AVIANA have had a tempestuous start to their career. Their debut album Polarise acted as something of a trebuchet, launching them into the limelight and making a huge dent in the Scandivanian heavy scene. Two years on they return with their latest effort Epicenter, and their amelioration is something to behold. At their core, AVIANA cite inspiration from 90’s nu-metal, but with their sophomore they have stepped ever closer towards progressive metalcore and djent territory. This exploratory approach throws our expectations out of kilter, instead conjuring an album that sidesteps comfort zones and aims a punch right at the jugular.

It’s immediately clear that AVIANA sound heavier than ever. They have recruited the vocal work of Joel Holmqvist, who’s manic approach fits perfectly against assaulting guitars and all round mauling musicianship. Immediately in My Worst Enemy, he lets loose with real dynamism, invading the senses with a pulverising growl. Riffs hurtle on forcefully, and yet amidst such chaos AVIANA manage to find melody with IN HEARTS WAKE-esque cleans and a sense of emotive atmosphere. The album as a whole takes this approach, as Red Sky and Altitude Sickness continue to wade deeper into metalcore waters.

Never ones to deny us variety, AVIANA seem to change tact slightly with Erased, drifting further towards hardcore style riffs led by chugging guitar and lashings of bass. It all gets a bit KNOCKED LOOSE, and denotes a band very much capable up upping their heavy game. Heavy Feather lands us back in prog territory with ambient playing and cathartic vocals. It is another twist in an album rife with pleasant surprises, and continues to paint a concise picture of the band’s complex character.

The album does start to feel like something of a metallic revolution. AVIANA talk openly about their diverse creative inspiration, shouting out everyone from DEFTONES right through to NORTHLANE and even EMINEM. These threads begin to knit together throughout the record, and the more we listen, the more it makes sense. Look Away continues to be atmospheric, and then Celosia offers relief with a more serene approach. Track to track, the album is different, and this could be seen as a blessing or a curse. Beyond doubt, Epicenter is a work of art, but the reality is that AVIANA have taken a huge risk in stepping so far beyond what they achieved in their debut.

That being said, this valiant approach is sure to win them plaudit, and as jagged riffs continue into Frail and Melancholia, their competency is beyond question. Perhaps in the future they will branch out towards song structures that are even more experimental, which would add yet another dimension to their repertoire, but for now they are well on course to achieving the domination they so desperately strive for. Hidden is another blistering track that ripples with a nu metal bite, and finally More Than A Name brings down the curtain with a final bang.

AVIANA are the metalcore band you didn’t realise you needed in 2019. In a genre where so many bands are currently jostling for space, they are certainly making their presence known, and once Epicenter sees the light of day, their slither of the limelight looks highly likely to remain.

Rating: 8/10

Epicentre is set for release August 23rd via Arising Empire Records. 

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