EP Review: Svengahli – Nightmares Of Our Own Design (Self Released)
Emerging progressive death metal project Svengahli’s upcoming release is their debut effort, Nightmares Of Our Own Design. The EP will see release on Friday, March 6th. Born from the mind of Exist (Prosthetic Records) bassist Alex Weber, Svengahli aims to chart a unique course between all that progressive death metal and eccentric progressive metal has to offer when combined together.
Notable guest musicians such as Exist guitarist Matt Rossa, WAIT guitarist Charlie Eron, and drum programming help from Anup Sastry lend their considerable talents throughout Nightmares Of Our Design. In addition, high-profile guest guitar spots from Obscura guitarist Rafael Trujillo and Gorguts/Dysrhythmia guitarist Kevin Hufnagel add another unique addition to the material. As a still-developing project, Svengahli’s future plans consist of a follow up full-length album, solidifying a larger line-up, and striving to turn the project into a live band as well.
Svengahli Comments On The Release Of Nightmares Of Our Own Design:
I’ve always been interested in combining the harmonic language and the expression of the various forms of jazz, contemporary classical and improvised music into heavier and darker forms of metal because I’ve always seen a connection between them all. Classical music has obviously already had its influence on metal but there are many sides of jazz harmony that are just as dissonant and moody as a lot of metal AND the intensity that can be found in some forms of improvisation, to me, is even more powerful than most metal. These elements have absolutely had a huge impact in the shaping of the music on this EP.
Aiming high with opener, Writing On the Wall, Svengahli lets its progressive metal muscles ripple and shine with an exceptionally layered start. With a guitar slapping style of play, vocals that scowl and sing in alternating style and percussion that rolls wildly, the complex structure of this near 10 minute track is quite something to behold.
The title track is then given three subtitles for the remaining part of the EP. Up first, Echoes of Prejudice with its mellow first half that devolves into a filthy slab of extreme metal. Easily the most digestible and ‘catchy’ track of the EP.
Then it’s Adrift and Our Hate Ignited, a pair that flow together so perfectly you won’t even notice when one ends and the other begins. The most notable difference being Adrift is mostly eerie sounds, effects and sharpened squeals of guitar whereas Our Hate Ignited has rhythm and vocals.
It’s a great debut.
Svengahli – Nightmares Of Our Own Design Full Track Listing:
1. Writing On The Wall
2. Nightmares Of Our Own Design I: Echoes Of Prejudice
3. Nightmares Of Our Own Design II: Adrift
4. Nightmares Of Our Own Design III: Our Hate Ignited
Links
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Svengahli - Nightmares Of Our Own Design (Self Released)
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The Final Score - 8/10
8/10