Album Review: Interpolant – Arbor (Terminarch Records)

Interpolant is a one man death metal project by Tobias Borra (ex-Cypher, ex-I CHAOS). The Dutch death metalist will release his debut record, Arbor on June 4th, 2021 via Terminarch Records.

One-person death metal projects are ten-a-penny these days, so much so that it’s hard to get too excited about another one. That being said, when they’re as brutally talented as Interpolant, there’s plenty to get excited about. Seven short blasts of fury with some added synth and layered effects to give it a bit of a sci-fi flavour. Although that isn’t immediately clear on the bilious opener, Aspen Grove as it’s more in the background. It comes right to the front for Sycamore, where the wild blast of drums and vocals can’t overshadow the retro vibes.

Another strong showing with the intense flurry that is Ascendant, keeps things filthy and so very heavy before the short, horror-tinged and dramatic instrumental, Tannhäuser Gate blows everything else out of the water so far.

Though there’s still plenty more noise to come. Monument sounding like it could be on the death metal version of Tron Legacy and Semper Virens coming screaming out of the darkness like headlights on a dark and isolated road. Frantic and heart-stopping stuff, it really does a great job of sending the imagination careening off in wild directions. You can’t always say that about death metal so credit where credit is due.

An awesome experience comes to an end with the most experimental and unique effort of the bunch. An exploratory journey of dark synth and metal, The Cartographer’s Song is an apt title. A very expansive and detailed finale that really shows how much depth Interpolant has while still staying as true as possible to what was set out at the start of the record.

Interpolant – Arbor Full Track Listing:

1. Aspen Grove
2. Sycamore
3. Ascendant
4. Tannhäuser Gate
5. Monument
6. Semper Virens
7. The Cartographer’s Song

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