ALBUM REVIEW: Multiversal – The Beast Of Nod
Back in 2018 technical/progressive death outfit THE BEAST OF NOD came bursting onto the scene with their debut full length effort entitled Vampira: Disciple of Chaos, a release that skyrocketed them into the spotlight, gaining a mass of new adoring fans in the process. It is now time for the long awaited follow up which comes in the form of Multiversal which is due to be unleashed on March 29th via self release. Simply put, you’re not ready and there is nothing that will remotely prepare you for what you’re about to witness.
Flight of the Quetzalcoatlus begins with a colourful palette of vibrant harmonies intertwined with frantic rounds of drumming and scathing vocal work. The track quickly descends into an elaborately layered state of chaos that hits you from all angles. Perplexing riffing almost ties you in knots but there are pockets of calmer delivery that disrupt the flow of anarchy. Contemporary Calamity goes berserk from the offset with mesmerizing drum beats that will leave you stunned. Whilst the guitar work does its best to run rings around you it is proficiently constructed and slots well into the arrangement, elevating the track with copious injections of melody and theatricality. Intergalactic War! doesn’t hit you directly in the teeth like its predecessors but it’s still packed full of intensity and complex orchestration as it hits its stride. The vocal onslaught is quite simply maniacal, bombarding your senses with vicious volleys.
Call of the Squirrel also lures you into a false sense of security with a relatively subtle intro that soon bursts at the seams in an energetic frenzy. The drum segments hammer at your skull like a drill with blunt force precision as the ongoing riff parade swarms around you. In amongst the dissection of your brain there is also an astounding guitar solo, prepare to pick your jaw up off the floor. By the name and the reputation of the album up to press the mere title of Unleashing Chaos makes you prepare for another battering but instead, it welcomes you with a dramatic, yet inviting intro piece before introducing some rather peculiar vocal pieces. The riffs are laced with an enticing groove that almost leave you feeling too comfortable with how things are unfolding. Don’t worry, you won’t be settled for long as bloodcurdling screams and rapid drum work will soon have your bones rattling. The Plan for Multiversal Creation ups the tension with further ominous orchestration layered alongside further instances of mind-bending technicality that bring forth the feeling of sheer bewilderment. The track also ebbs and flows in all the right places, allowing itself to gear up for the next surge of instrumental fury.
Guardians of the Multiverse provides a snippet of respite with soothing synths and uplifting tones which are abruptly shunned aside by a forceful blast of snarling growls. From snappy drumming to scintillating sweeps with a few savage screams thrown in for good measure this track keeps you on your toes as it twists and turns relentlessly. The Latent Threat continues to whittle down what remains of your eardrums with intricate bass lines, pummelling drum beats and explosive energy that erupts at a moments notice to throw you into disarray. ShRedding OF the Cosmos may be the last instalment in this rollercoaster ride but THE BEAST OF NOD still have a few tricks up their sleeves, one that comes in the form of Michael Angelo Batio and his otherworldly virtuosic wizardry that feels like part of the furniture in the frantic soundscape that has been created.
It takes a remarkable amount of synergy to combine the eccentric textures which THE BEAST OF NOD have crammed into this release but it is so crazy that it somehow just works, like some demonic witchcraft. Multiversal will definitely take a few spins and your undivided attention before you fully begin to comprehend the sheer insanity that is unfolding. It may be too intense for the casual listener but if you’re an avid fan of the more chaotic side of the heavy music spectrum then this album is a must.
Rating: 9/10
Multiversal is due for release on March 29th via self release.
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