Album Review: Ecliptic Vision – Ecliptic Vision (Self Released)
The self-titled second full full-length album from Syracuse, New York sophisticated technical/brutal death metal outlet Ecliptic Vision is out on July 6th 2019. It is the follow up to their 2016 debut album, Dissimilar Dimensions, and 2017’s Omphalos of the Void EP. With a balanced split emphasis on crushing brutal death metal, massive heavy grooves, and technical/progressive death metal, the group’s unique sound and songwriting style reaches new heights on their upcoming self-titled album along with the group introducing a new experimental and atmospheric side to their approach utilizing a series of interlude pieces woven throughout the album from guest musician Machine Moon (Matthew Jaime).
Ecliptic Vision comment on the release:
Our forthcoming self-titled album “Ecliptic Vision” is the culmination of our experience and growth as musicians individually and collectively as a band coming together to cultivate the most complete evolution of our sound. Since the origins of Ecliptic Vision, we have come to be known for a signature heavy groove which forms the foundation of our sound, and in bringing this record to life we elevated that groove to the next level.
We pushed the boundaries of our playing and composition into new territory, cutting no corners and devoting attention to every element of the music and the overall presentation of it. We collaborated with Matthew Jaime of the Syracuse noise outfit Machine Moon, whose ambient talents brought a further level of atmospheric depth to the record, and worked closely with Justin Spaulding of More Sound Studio who was instrumental in capturing our vision to the fullest extent. What we ended up with are 12 tracks that take the listener on a fluid, sonic journey yet each stand alone with their own soul and vibe. Each moment is a unique expression of our sound while remaining true to its roots, which is ultimately what makes this record sound definitively like Ecliptic Vision.
A truly momentous and bruising death metal effort, the meat to the bones of this 12-track release comes in the form of the deep riffing. No fat here, just the juicy tenderness of brutality played with one eye on groove. It’s the latter that certainly catapults Ecliptic Vision’s self titled release into the stratosphere.
Present at every stage, a short intro bleeds into the thumping Anthropophage. The thrum of guitars sitting comfortably alongside booming drums and the ferocity of the vocals. It’s impressively catchy, something that you normally wouldn’t associate with death metal.
Just think about that for second. Death metal…with all its anger, fury and malice played at an intense pace on a bedrock of technical riffing and hook-laden heaviness… and it’s catchy enough to have your head nodding along involuntarily.
After such a strong start, it’s doesn’t weaken either. Cosmicosm, Lobotomizer, Cephalic Anomaly and Crux of Infliction burst forth with unbridled and uncompromising power. In between the wall of destruction, Ecliptic Vision give the mind momentary rest with very short interludes. Breaking the album up into sections but also furthering the general feel of a story being told in Ecliptic Vision’s unalterable way.
Even without them, it’s never boring and as it reaches its apex, it just seems to grow in strength. Fear the Horizon might be the best track on the album with some stunning riff-work and a duel vocal performance that alternates between the deep guttural roars and higher-pitched yelps of hellishness.
Finally it’s Dark Flow Remnants and Alientity to bring things to a circle-pitting, head-banging and mayhem driven close. The former has a much lighter and deft touch to the guitars (so sci-fi sounding at one stage) and the latter is possibly the fastest showcase of death on the album.
The outro of Adrift in the Celestial Void then allows time to get the breath back before you hit play once again. Brilliant.
Ecliptic Vision – Ecliptic Vision Full Track Listing:
1. Singularity
2. Anthropophage
3. Cosmicosm
4. Lobotomizer
5. Interdimensional Tides
6. Cephalic Anomaly
7. Crux of Infliction
8. Reduced to Dust
9. Fear the Horizon
10. Dark Flow Remnants
11. Alientity
12. Adrift in the Celestial Void
Links
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Ecliptic Vision - Ecliptic Vision (Self Released)
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The Final Score - 9/10
9/10