ALBUM REVIEW: Darkened Infinity – Reaping Asmodeia
Having bubbled away in the underground since their formation in 2013, for Minneapolis trio REAPING ASMODEIA its make or break time. After 2017’s Impuritize turned heads and a relentless run on the US tour circuit, there’s a lot riding on album number three; Darkened Infinity. In the age of instant gratification, to smash and grab and make an immediate impact, alongside a global metal scene that is pumping out quality of stupendous levels; the challenge has never been greater. Does Darkened Infinity deliver the goods and establish REAPING ASMODEIA as yet another stellar band within extreme music?
Well, for the most part, it does. Thanks to a combination of precise and hyper-focused technical shred, dynamic time signature changes and an overarching theme of a deep and invoking dive into transcendence, consciousness and the human psyche, Darkened Infinity is an elaborative and well-mannered record in the world of technical-led death metal.
Epoch of Choler is a cluster-bomb of wild riffs and elaborate leads from guitarist Alexander Kelly and the interchanging gutturals and shrieks from Steven Lane is as intimidating as it is impressive whilst the more melodic-leaning instrumentals Lamentations and Terpsichorean Flume bookend Simulacra rather nicely and allows you to catch your breath before diving back into the chaos once more.
As it continues to unfold over its 36 minute runtime, the band continue to dispatch their complex compositions with apparent ease. Simulacra bends and contorts with devilish riffing which slams oh so effectively, Dreamcaster is one of the album’s highlights thanks to groove-laden riffing and technical soloing and The Forge Of Moira is as blistering as it is technically impressive; largely down to drummer Daniel Koppy‘s inhumane ability behind the kit. When REAPING ASMODEIA really loosen the shackles and go for the jugular, the results are incendiary.
However, as impressive as the band’s technicality obviously is, one glaring issue with Darkened Infinity is that in the context of an album narrative, the album is incredibly one-dimensional. From the moment introductory track Parasight kicks in all the way through to frenetic finale The Consequence Of Being, REAPING ASMODEIA keep the tempo in top gear and bombard the ears with technical-driven licks and blistering rhythms. Whilst this is more than fine and and the individual compositions are expertly crafted and display plenty of quality from the trio, it’s clear that Darkened Infinity strictly follows the tech-death rulebook to the letter. As a result, the record loosens its stranglehold in its final hurdle and with a dampened impact, it ends with a whimper rather than an almighty bang.
Darkened Infinity is a fine addition to REAPING ASMODEIA‘s aural arsenal. Although predictable and one-dimensional, the Minneapolis trio have forged an album that is as fierce as it is technically impressive. If you like your metal that ebbs and flows with technical precision and a brutal core, then Darkened Infinity will tick a lot of your boxes, just don’t expect it to reinvent the rulebook.
Rating: 7/10
Darkened Infinity is out now via Prosthetic Records.
Like REAPING ASMODEIA on Facebook.
