ALBUM REVIEW: DEATH AWAITS – Blind Equation
Cybergrind is such a surreal genre to listen to, and there seems to be two camps to enjoying it; you’ve either really got to understand what your interacting with in order to appreciate it, or you just want as big and insane a sound as possible. Being able to jump between these groups is a hard task, but BLIND EQUATION have always given it a damn good go. On this latest record, DEATH AWAITS, the band have once more played with intense, hyperactive sounds.
The fluidity and chaotic decay of fade away is thoroughly enjoyable, as is the light-hearted whimsy of the synth work in choke before the extremes of the blast beats and vocals transform it into something completely opposing while also very engaging.
As per with cybergrind, the songs are short and intense, and this record utilises the genre formula to great effect. Playing around with hyperpop, black metal and some elements of rap music, DEATH AWAITS is a playground for the band. They’ve created some insane and beautiful moments, some utterly silly melodies and ideas. Great examples of this are laced throughout the record, from the eerie Castlevania-style speedrunning life, to the melancholy blitzing of warmth.
The chiptune elements of sounds like never getting better are absolutely the highlights of the record; bouncy, fluttering synths, smooth but shifting drum arrangements, plus a multitude of vocal styles all make this a great example of what cybergrind can be.
killing me and suffering in silence (ft. deathtrippa) lean hard into the black metal and core influences of BLIND EQUATION, while managing to add more pop influences throughout. The mass amount of crazy playing and discordant sounds through suffering in silence might honestly be a step too far into the realms of ridiculous, but does have some ok moments. It’s very hard to hit the mark on the mix of influences through this record, with all of these genres feeling like they’re the antithesis of each other, but this is what really makes DEATH AWAITS a pretty thrilling listen. Even when it misses the mark, it’s tried to do something far reaching and ambitious.
It’s for sure a high adrenaline, high anxiety style of music, and naturally with something that’s made to be so high octane, it won’t be for everyone. However, the way BLIND EQUATION have approached DEATH AWAITS with fun and zeal interlaced with dark lyrics, complex ideas and frenzied musicality means this might be the best example of cybergrind this year.
Rating: 7/10
DEATH AWAITS is set for release on September 15th via Prosthetic Records.
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