The Pitch: LA/Tempe progressive metal band Dessiderium led by Alex Haddad (Arkaik, Nullingroots) with new album Shadow Burn. FFO: Fallujah, Warforged, Inferi
What I Like: Shadow Burn is a captivating dose of progressive death metal that amplifies its already impressive songwriting with abundant use of atmospheric synths and keys. The result falls somewhere between Warforged and Fallujah in terms of overall effect, conjuring imagery of angelic creatures amongst drifting clouds. This ends up forming a nice contrast with the malicious, almost Carach Angren-esque vocals; a constant warring of light and dark, good and evil. And speaking of black metal bands, there are certainly elements of the genre that pop up here and there in some of the more ominous guitar riffs in addition to the more proggy, technical death metal hooks. Taken together with a cavernous production style that draws allusions to the peak era of bands like Cynic and Dark Tranquillity, Dessiderium have put together an album that feels strangely timeless. The Eastern-sounding influences on some of the later tracks like "Sage In Learning" helps it stand out as well.
Critiques: It's a very dense album, and as a result it can feel a little samey and even mentally taxing at times. Repeat listens are definitely necessary to better navigate and adjust to the many layers of sound.
The Verdict: Shadow Burn is a powerful experience that surrounds the listener in a whirlwind of technical guitars and drums, vicious snarls, and ethereal, atmospheric synths. It can be an almost overwhelming listen at times, but Dessiderium definitely deserve attention of the obvious hard work that went into it.
Flight's Fav's: Shadow Burn, Streaks, Cosmic Limbs
- Review by FlightOfIcarus
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