Album Review: OWDWYR – Receptor (Self Released)

OWDWYR, an extreme metal convergence of tech death, prog, and grind framed around a classical core, presents its debut album, Receptor. Out on October 20th, 2023.

Grab a pencil and some paper, you’re doing to be taking some notes while you listen to this album.

OWDWYR are unique, so unique, that any review must simply start by telling you to check this album out. It’s stupendously creative, absurdly diverse, confidently insightful, and so much more. Don’t balk at the fact that it is fifteen tracks long, balk at the fact that it’s not longer. Such is the amazing amount of variety on show.

While all the separate elements of OWDWYR will be familiar. The technical death brutality, the fantastical progressive twists, the grinding and gnashing horror, and classical turns. It’s how they are all mashed together that truly makes this band, and this album, so unique. It shouldn’t work, or it at least shouldn’t be as compelling as it is, but OWDWYR have crafted something unforgettable here.

Calling it dynamic isn’t enough, OWDWYR have pushed themselves to limits no human being should be able to go to. Even the many guests that appear on the record seem to also be reaching their own personal highs by being involved here. The likes of Navene Koperweis (Entheos, ex-Animals as Leaders), Kenny Grohowski (Imperial Triumphant, John Zorn), Kevin Paradis (Ne Obliviscaris, Benighted), Alex Cohen (Contrarian, ex-Pyrrhon), and many more. The talent involved in crafting something that leaves every hair on the body standing on end, is impressive.

Alongside that is an array of instrumentals ideas that go beyond the standard metal set-up, and you can expect to hear the likes of a saxophone and a piano in select songs. Yet nothing overshadows anything else, such is the meticulous songwriting and crafting abilities of OWDWYR.

Who else could seamlessly take segments of different musical offerings and seamlessly merge them with original work? OWDWYR, that’s who.

Sold yet? It’s a multiple time listen, not just because of the extravagant detail that needs time to unpick, but simply because it is so good, it’s impossible to not want to be listening to it every minute of every day. Wake up, put Receptor on. Eating? Try not to make a mess while Receptor plays. At work? Your colleagues will love it to. Bowel movement? Receptor is there to accompany you. Sleep to the sound of Receptor and the incredible accomplishment of OWDWYR.

Album of the year? It’s going to be very hard to find something that can top this. Stop reading, and go listen to this.

OWDWYR – Receptor Track Listing:

1. Praefatio
2. The Liminal Carapace
3. Ripped from The Bog
4. Stench of Indemnity
5. Lagos
6. Ein
7. Writhe
8. Supplicant
9. Reverie
10. Cower
11. A Vessel Emerges
12 Not Afraid
13. Pitchtongue Vesper
14. Catalyst Sequence
15. The Sputtering Torch

Links

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