Search - Black Comedy :: Instigator

3.5 Stars- Mnemic's rockin' younger brother

Mark Carver | China | 05/05/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I really dig this style of metal- futuristic, epic, well-produced, industrialized but not straight-up industrial. These newcomers from Norway have crafted a haunting, surreal, and savage sonic thunderstorm ringing with all the fury and frustration of a failed future. Their sound is distinctly Scandanavian and most closely resembles Denmark's Mnemic (particularly older Mnemic- I don't care too much for the newest incarnation), although it also bears similarities to Sybreed, Rikets, Fear Factory, even Slipknot at times. Occasionally it has a Japanese synth-metal sound akin to Blood Stain Child. Lots of double bass, grinding riffs and raspy vocal roars complimented by atmospheric synthesizers and soaring clean vocals.



Sometimes the songs are furious and brutal but there are many mellow moments, and this hurts the albums overall impact. Rarely will a whole song be driving and relentless- instead it will be rockin and rollin and then have a few moments of pure primal fury, then back to business as usual. All things considered, this album doesn't have the aggression of Mnemic or complexity of Sybreed, both of which are cornerstones of today's futuristic metal assault. But make no mistake- these guys will still crush you paper-thin. I have no doubt the next album will be the anthem of the apocalypse."