ALBUM REVIEW: Datalysium – The Zenith Passage
LA’s THE ZENITH PASSAGE have experienced an overhaul in personnel in recent times, including the departure of long-standing vocalist Greg Hampton. Rather than let this derail their future, the band has bounced back with a refreshed lineup and a newfound sense of purpose. Their latest release Datalysium is hot off the press via Metal Blade Records and is poised to usher in a new and exciting era for the technical death metal outfit.
The Axiom of Error doesn’t trifle with any form of warm-up, diving straight into the thick of the action. Rapid fire drum beats and an intense vortex of chaotic riffing is on todays specials. Algorithmic Salvation possesses a complex yet addictive pacing as sharp, jabbing riff work swarms around the arrangement like a horde of angry hornets.
Lexicontagion follows with another frenetic assault on the senses. Ranging from dissonant anarchy to hefty hooks, wild instrumentation hits you from all angles. Even the ‘cleaner’ sections are suitably haunting. Synaptic Depravation encases you in a maze of technicality, the multitude of layering is simply masterful but will take all of your concentration to fully interpret the sheer level of intricacy.
Deletion Cult is as enticing as it is relentless, serving energetic volleys at a swift pace but you are helpless to resist, like a siren luring you to your demise. Divinertia I keeps you guessing, ebbing and flowing through a variety of styles and tempos to add even more breadth to their creative flair. This allows for the faster bursts of riffing to further enhance their impact. Divinertia II is unsettlingly unpredictable, slowly pondering around its surroundings, emanating that sense of danger like it could snap your limbs off at any given moment. True to form it does in fact abruptly slam into full velocity like a raging bull. A frenzy of tantalising lead work leaves you in a state of awe.
Automated Twilight provides the unexpected treat of a surge of colourful, melodic vocal sequences, adding another feather in the cap of this already ridiculously talented collective. Elaborate waves of varying insanity wash over this diverse but fascinating soundscape. Datalysium has little intention of allowing this release to just fade into the background. Scintillating rounds of energetic technicality are seamlessly blended amongst vibrant synth elements and powerful melodies to keep your attention fixed until the very end.
Usually after having your brain rattled around your skull like a ping pong ball for the best part of an hour you are quite thankful to see the onslaught come to a conclusion but there is something so charming about Datalysium that leaves you in a euphoric mood long after it has departed. THE ZENITH PASSAGE aren’t your average technical death metal band. Every moment, nuance and tone is meticulously balanced to create an enthralling experience that sets them apart from the pack. The initial visionaries of the genre may have paved the way but that torch has well and truly been ripped from their grasp.
Rating: 10/10
Datalysium is out now via Metal Blade Records.
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