Album Review: Exist – Egoiista (Prosthetic Records)

Exist return with their third studio album, Egoiista. Blending extraordinary technical proficiency with eccentric arrangements, and imbued with moments of fusion and atmospherics, Egoiista puts Exist firmly on the map of modern progressive metal.

Much of the material on Egoiista first came into being prior to their last album, 2017’s So True, So Bound. Six of the eight songs that make up Egoiista were reviewed, reshaped and additionally given an extra lease of life thanks to new drummer Brody Taylor-Smith. The passage of time since the original tracks were sketched out has also allowed time for the skill and proficiency of its architects to develop further. Two additional tracks were written prior to recording that rounded out the opus into a fully formed collection. 

Egoiista will be released via Prosthetic Records on August 28th 2020.

I adore the soft guitar melody that echoes throughout the mind at the start of Exist’s opening epic, Through Suffering He Paints the Universe. It in no way can prepare you for the unique medley that follows. Exist showing just how progressive they can be with a shifting and changing effort that is the anthesis of unusual metal. Concerned that it might be too excessively weird? Bear with Exist as a bit further on they erupt with some seriously scarring heaviness that is on the scale of death metal.

After such a floaty effort, The Lottery grounds things a bit more with a banging rhythm and turns into Exist seemingly just jamming. Whereas Until the Storm is filled with tension, Exist burning with heaving heaviness and Infinite Monkey Theorem showcasing the lengthy brilliance that comes from a band brimming with imagination. The latter is so impressively meaty and never comes across convoluted, even if Exist struggle to sit still for too long.

When they do, such as on Siblings Born Into Different Dimensions, it’s utterly spectacular. As bright as a rising sun, as deep as the ocean and as beautiful as nature.

It’s that side of Exist, one of their many sides, that I find I enjoy the most. Although it would no doubt have a little less impact if it wasn’t complimented by gut punching groove, furious heaviness and the constant infusion of eccentric musicianship ala Egocosm and Spotlight’s Glow. With the droning and echoing ambience of Last Flight Looking in between.

Which brings is to Amongst the Trees. Which begins with the same wonderful guitar melody that begun Through Suffering He Paints the Universe. Albeit at a slightly faster tempo. It’s very morose and then in a burst, it shifts into a more intense offering. A very special finish to a very special album.

Unique and fascinating all the way through.

Exist – Egoiista Full Track Listing:

1. Through Suffering He Paints The Universe
2. The Lottery
3. Until The Storm Comes
4. Infinite Monkey Theorem
5. Siblings Born Into Different Dimensions
6. Egocosm
7. Last Flight Looming
8. Spotlight’s Glow
9. Amongst The Trees

Links

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