Album Review: Benthos – II (Eclipse Records)

II is the brand new album from Italian experimental progressive metal band Benthos. It will be released on April 23rd 2021 via Eclipse Records.

A thoughtful and grown-up take on progressive metal, Benthos’ II does a lot in a short amount of time. From gravitational pulls created by the guitars to the mournfully clean vocals and the solidifying heavier metal beats, there’s a consistent weirdness to II.

Perhaps the most surprising thing about II is the length of many of the tracks. Especially when you take into account just how progressive sounding the album is. The opener Cartesio and following Back and Forth are a mish-mash of energetic riffy thrills, bursts of crushing heaviness and sombre but touching melodies.

They’re good tracks, very interesting tracks but do suffer from a few too many ideas going on. You’ll feel like you should have a pad of paper to the side just to take notes and that doesn’t change with the darker and mentally draining chaos of Talk to Me, Dragonfly!

At less than 2 and a half minutes long, Facing the Deep is atmosphere only and does give off the strong vibe of looking into the fathoms of a dark blue ocean. It’s really cool.

It’s then back to what Benthos do best with Debris // Essence, although here it’s nice to hear the focus on a more traditional structure. Albeit with their usual penchant for weird rhythms and super-heavy drops. It’s just a track that is far easier to get along with. Sometimes, light and airy and at others, like having a concrete block tied to your feet.

Forget that for now though, it’s time to get really freaky and in turn, really mesmerised by what Benthos are capable of. It’s time for the title track and it might be the most brilliant piece of progressive metal heard this year so far or the maddest singular piece of music heard this year. From beginning to end, it doesn’t sit still. Bucking and thrashing as though Benthos are having a fit but in a calmer way. At least until they lash out with fury for brief segments of terrifying intensity.

To offset that, we get the much more moving and melodic in Dissolving Flowers as a closer. The longest track on the album, it’s also one of the easiest to consume because it stays rooted in the softer side of their music. While still feeling suitably grand and as always, throughly interesting.

A challenging record. There’s a ton to love here even if it requires some serious study to fully understand.

Benthos – II Full Track Listing:

1. Cartesio
2. Back and Forth
3. Talk to Me, Dragonfly!
4. Facing the Deep
5. Debris // Essence
6. II
7. Dissolving Flowers

Links

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