Album Review: Contrarian – Sage of Shekhinah (Willowtip Records)

Progressive death metal masters Contrarian will release Sage of Shekhinah, the band’s 5th album, on March 17th on CD, vinyl, and digital formats via Willowtip Records.

Always a delight to the ears, Contrarian continue to push the boundaries of progressive death metal with their latest release, Sage of Shekhinah. Having delivered blistering and brutish displays of technical madness on previous releases, it’s extremely heartening to find the band on form here. Once again, assaulting the senses with a cacophony of challenging heaviness but displaying constant forward momentum.

Momentum that moves at varied speeds and tempos throughout Sage of Shekhinah. The aggressive death technicalities are sometimes measured and methodical, and at other times, moving at a breakneck pace. Often in the same track as it twists and turns in unique ways, all while sounding monstrously intense.

Though, be under no false pretences, this is one of the more challenging progressive death albums you’ll hear. Not even par for the course with Contrarian, as here, they reach new levels of bafflement. Which comes with a hefty and heady side order of excitement as there is no predicting what could come next. Aside from the guarantee that it’s going to be intense and interesting.

Unlike a lot of other bands in this sub-genre, what does make Contrarian and Sage of Shekhinah a bit more palatable is that most of the tracks are kept tight and concise. Instead of dragging things out so they can fit everything in, the two-piece pack tracks out, that vary between 4 and 7 minutes. With so much instrumental chaos and vocal nastiness, it can feel a lot longer, but before you know it, it’s over and you just have to hit play again.

Always a constant source of unique ideas and fascinating metal heaviness, Sage of Shekhinah is another triumphant release for the mighty Contrarian.

Contrarian – Sage of Shekhinah Track Listing:

1. Sage of Shekhinah
2. In Gehenna
3. Ibn al Rawandi
4. The Guide for the Perplexed
5. Zabur of Satfiyah al Shamal
6. Apollonius of Tyana
7. A Madman From Island Patmos

Links

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