ALLEGAEON – Elements of the Infinite
- Posted on 21-06-2014
Keeping up their bi-annual studio record pace, Colorado’s Allegaeon secure two new permanent members to the lineup through guitarist Michael Stancel and drummer Brandon Park, and now release their third album "Elements of the Infinite". Stylistically balancing the modern advantages of technology while also being slightly technical in their death metal brand, what’s always been exciting about this band has been their tightrope approach to hooks and musicality. You see, anyone if working hard enough and practicing long enough can become the fastest at any instrument- and blaze through intricacy to dazzle… but ultimately, the songs and melodies are what fashion a career for any artist.
Fortunate for the listeners, Allegaeon have crafted 10 songs featuring a boatload of nuances to ensure numerous playbacks. Be it the slightly Machine Head slow riff that opens and closes the otherwise progressive/ shred death master class "Our Cosmic Casket", the tranquil acoustic guitar build up that transposes into Forbidden-like axe harmonies against symphonic choir backgrounds to make "Threshold of Perception" a future set mainstay – or the rhythmic drum/bass ecstasy within "The Phylogenesis Stretch", the five-piece are firing all guns blazing to push their creativity to outer limits. Ezra Haynes has the acidic growl nature mastered, and somehow can muster clarity through it all – as "Tyrants of the Terrestrial Exodus" and "1.618" are convincing while never selling out the needs of each song.
You can throw in slight shuffle stutter step riffing that isn’t fully Meshuggah territory as in "Gravimetric Time Dilation" and make it your own because the slower parts contain the deepest hooks – while the fiery harmonies take into account the best of Dream Theater, Into Eternity, and a touch of Periphery. And those of you looking for serious chops and entertainment value – the 12:48 closer "Genocide for Praise- Vals for the Vitruvian Man" has all the twists, turns, dive bombs and electric antics schooled musicians live for.
I’ll admit their first two albums were outstanding – but "Elements of the Infinite" sees Allegaeon reaching for the upper tier in their niche, and I think they will achieve what they desire and more.