Plague Rider

This is the first full-length album from a new techdeath/thrash band, played in the veins of Atheist, Pestilence, Obliveon, etc. I've got tired of these new "oldschool" groups who tries to recreate the sound of bands like Entombed, mostly with the chainsaw-like guitar tone and shit. But Plague Rider gives us a nicely well structured album with a very clean production, and at the same time I can consider it oldschool. Mostly the compositions here are catchy and memorable, plus well elaborated songwriting and different atmospheres.

I'll warn you that what are you going to hear isn't overwhelming fast, heavy or stupidly technical like some modern techdeath bands. The instrumentation here is kinda complex but simple at the same time. The guitars focuses in balanced thrashy, very well worked progressive, technical memorable riffs and well placed repetitions, even with dark traditional and atmospheric riffs. I particularly like so much the way the solos are distorted, and sometimes fast. The bass is audible in most parts of the songs, but I would choose "Genetic Devolution" as a example of cool played bass lines through the guitar riffs. Altogether, the atmosphere as a whole is often dark, and indifferently of most techdeath bands, it gives a kind of parallel universe or surreal feelings (and sadly I can't explain it in another words...).

The drum beats focuses in a consistent speed, with little tempo changes, mostly played with thrashy beats in fast songs and often with synchronized beats and some variable bridges, nothing very special at all, but well mixed. Blast beats are not frequently played, only a few times in songs like "Shape Shifting Monstrosity" and "Plague Rider". Vocals are for the most part understandable growls with alternative high and low pitched guturals. Overall, good album for oldschool tech death and thrash fans, nothing too innovative though, but very enjoyable.

Highlights: Plague Rider, Genetic Devolution, Subconscious Entrapment.