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Definitely in league with bands whose monikers display truth in advertising, Greece’s Cerebrum channels all things brainy on this, its debut release. The band’s been kicking since 2002 and previously reached my ears with a fairly boss three-song 2005 demo, so this one’s a long time coming. It’s recorded with snap and verve, boasts great artwork and layout and seems poised to make a bid for global esteem despite its presence on a lesser known Czech label. Oh, and the music... almost forgot that part: sinewy, forward-thinking technical death metal that invokes all the best influences from Chuck Schuldiner, Kelly Schaefer, and Paul Masvidal, emphatic of the power of riff but not afraid to bugger off into jazzy breaks and curious dropped bass notes. It’s accomplished enough on the compositional end to have attracted the presence of luminary George Kollias (Nightfall/Nile), who sits in on this recording as a guest drummer and does his usual clinic extraordinaire. Tech-death is becoming all the rage these days, but like I said, these fellows have been doing it longer than most of those sorry-ass honkeys, so they get a free pass from me. If criticisms be levied (and with me, you know they have to be), it’s that lead growler Apollon Zygomalas dives into the songs too early to establish a proper mood borne of licks alone. I’m sure you’ve got things to say, man, but let these jammies breathe a little first.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Fragments Of Illusion |
| 2. Scatter-Brain |
| 3. Pattern Of Fear |
| 4. Intolerable Ado |
| 5. Epiphysis Thrive |
| 6. Edge Of Parallel Circles |
| 7. Beyond Imagination |
| 8. Thorns Of Weakness |
| 9. Salvia Divinorum |
| 10. The Prologue Of Completion (instrumental) |
| 11. Shreds Of Remains |
: 42:49
| Buy other Cerebrum albums |
