The Pitch: Australian progressive deathcore newcomers Babirusa challenge the kings for the throne on their self-released new album Humanoid. FFO: Krosis, Infant Annihilator, Exocrine
What I Like: Humanoid is a science fiction concept record focused around main character 343 and his journey between reality and the cybernetic world, leaving him to ponder his own existence and what it means to be human. As you might know from my interview with Necropanther, I am such a sucker for these kinds of concept albums and sci fi in general. From Blade Runner to Coheed and Cambria, I'm all in. Speaking of which, I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out that Babirusa are fans of the latter, as the android-like spoken word segements could have come straight out of the first few albums.
But as for the music, it's anything but. This is deathcore to the core...deathcorecore? Anyways, expect an excellent balance of tech and groove, perhaps best encapsulated by the third single "Cataonia." As mentioned in my standalone reaction for this track, it features some seriously infectious start-stop riffs complimented by an always headbob-inducing rhythm. The approach to songwriting on the guitars in general would be right at home within the Unique Leader Roster. Much like Krosis, Exocrine, and Xenobiotic; Babirusa prefer to pair all things brutal and technical with a more thoughtful side of prog and jazz. I'm also a HUGE fan of these vocals which come courtesy of ex-Crowned In Flesh's Kyle Williams and ex-A Night In Texas' Rheese Peters. They are a flurry larynx-splitting shrieks, croaky, gutteral lows, and punishing brees that I'd hold up there with everything from Aborted to even Infant Annihilator in terms of both quality and diversity.
Critiques: This is an incredibly solid effort, especially for a relatively new project. I'd say there's some room to step up a few signature qualities to really make the band stand out from their peers, but other than that I'm down %100.
The Verdict: Humanoid is yet another album in an impressive stream this year that promises 2020 will be remembered as the year of progressive-minded technical death metal and deathcore. More importantly, Babirusa never loose step wtih their peers even for a second... in fact they already seem prepared to challenge for the throne.
Flight's Fav's: Desolation System, Catatonia, Resistor
- Review by FlightOfIcarus
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