ALBUM REVIEW: Synesthesia – Odious Mortem

Does absence make the heart grow fonder? It’s time to find out as Californian tech death outfit ODIOUS MORTEM are due to release their first album in over a decade in the form of Synesthesia which will land on January 17th via Willowtip Records. Will the long awaited follow-up to 2007’s highly regarded Cryptic Implosion album?

Dormant Retribution dives straight into the thick of the action with thunderous drumming and powerful, bellowing growls. The tempo is particularly frantic as riffs twist and turn in every direction, not allowing you to get comfortable. Before you have a chance to fully digest the chaos that unfolded you’re welcome by proceeding track Condemnation Foretold. The opener feels like a warm up in comparison as the insanity continues to significantly escalate. The guitar work will tie you in knots if you stand still for long enough. An impressively executed solo adds an emphatic exclamation point to the track. Ruins of the Timeworn is equally as maddening as the thrash-injected pacing could be compared to a raging bull wildly charging at all in its path. Despite being frenzied the riffing still possesses an addictive quality which maintains your focus and builds intrigue of what is to follow.

Replenish the Earth takes more of a blunt force trauma approach with ruthless brutality. The riffs flow like a tsunami, refusing to subside and instead choosing to perpetually bludgeon you with remorseless efficiency. In Abominable Form injects some elements of melody into the unravelling carnage providing some similarities to the skills which brought NECROPHAGIST such notoriety in their prime. Eagle’s Tower unexpectedly dials down the insanity for a moment with a calming string of engrossing bass lines before being quickly negated by business as usual. The latter stages take a less aggressive stance in favour of a more progressive style which produces an enticing array of guitar work.

Cave Dweller continues to rattle your skull with further instances of complex riffs, pummelling drum beats and demonic growls. Spirit Hole brings an alluring range of lead segments to the table which help elevate it above it’s companions and assist in taking the edge off the all out ferocity. Synchronicity throws a curve ball in the mix with some impressive instrumental mastery which initially commences with a soothing section of guitar work before it begins to flex its muscles and unleash the dormant beast. Dissonant Theology revives the savagery one last time with a final volley of relentless bedlam to finish the album with a flourish of fury.

Technical death metal has evolved in impressive fashion over the last decade and it was a concern that ODIOUS MORTEM may have become an after thought but Synesthesia shows they can still stand toe to toe with the best the genre has to offer. Their technical proficiency is undeniable but some tracks do have a tendency to be overly complex and at times rather than being an enjoyable listen they turn into a war of attrition to endure the battering on show. There is a lot to appreciate within this release but it may not hit that sweet spot for some listeners.

Rating: 7/10

Synesthesia is set for release on January 17th via Willowtip Records.

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