Album Review: Arcaeon – Cascadence (Self Released)

Arcaeon return with their debut full-length release, further staking their claim as a new band to watch within the UK’s promising progressive metalcore scene. Cascadence is released 12th February 2021 and follows the band’s acclaimed debut EP Balance, released January 2018.

The band too are avid gamers and have created a Gameboy game, which’ll be released in conjunction with the video for ‘Arcadia’. The game will be playable both physically (alongside songs from the album) and online. The video for ‘Arcadia’ is also notable in that it makes Arcaeon the first band ever to use specially-created Gameboy footage in their own video.

Beyond this, the group will be releasing their album in 16-bit music format, as if heard on a Sega Megadrive/Genesis console.

With elements of the metalcore/tech giants Periphery and Architects, Arcaeon hit hard with their own take on crushing and thoughtful sounding technical metalcore. A ton of hooks, a bevy of unique riffs, interesting effects that give the album an other-worldly taste and some of 2021’s most passionate vocals heard so far.

The intro of Infernum Demergeris sets up the eerie beauty of the album before the double header of Origin of Dreams and brutal technicality of Ghost in the Machine send wild fits of fury through the mind, body and soul. That’s the bar set right there. The latter track is one of the best slices of metalcore gold heard this year so far.

Although there’s still more than enough quality to come as the thumping rhythm (those drums are to die for) of Replicant and the fascinating two-parter that is Zenith I and II show. Zenith I: The Reflection, heavy with synth, electronica and melodrama while the Zenith II: Arcadia is a wild flurry of metal-focused riffing, soaring vocals and more. Wonderful stuff.

The latter portion of the album also has one of the punchiest head-bangers on the entire thing in the form of Beyond the Spires: Beneath the Canopy. As well as the chip-tune touch that precedes the heavyweight metalcore assault that is Heretic and grin-inducing airiness that makes An Endless Sky one hell of an epic sounding finale.

Here’s the thing, you can hear the influences throughout Cascadence and if you’re familiar with a few bands that draw from this well, there’s a ton of familiarity to this album. However, it’s not the be all and end all of it and Araceon really put their own spin on things to make something exceptionally memorable and enjoyable.

Arcaeon – Cascadence Full Track Listing:

1. Infernum Demergeris
2. Origin of Dreams
3. Ghost in the Machine
4. Replicant
5. Ezekiel’s Wheel
6. Zenith I: The Reflection
7. Zenith II: Arcadia
8. Beyond the Spires: Beneath the Canopy
9. Heretic
10. Cascade
11. Ode to Unknown
12. An Endless Sky

Links

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