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Dichotomy are a five piece melodic
tech-death metal band that was formed nearly three years ago by
guitarists Andrew Kealy and Rats in Ireland's ”Celtic Tiger” - the city
of Dublin. Clearly these guys have forged a sound that is out of the
ordinary as they have quickly made their mark playing in the underground
scene of their home turf. Naturally they are upholding the same force
that has always driven them and recently they've independently released
”Paradigm” in hopes of setting foot in other territories.
There's no denying that Dichotomy are
highly influenced by bands such as Death, Gojira, Necrophagist and Opeth,
but their true intentions are not instantly revealed in their opening
”Empyrean”, as it is but a simple acoustic piece. I can only describe
the experience as similar to when I listened to Cryptopsy's ”Once was
not” for the first time - unexpected. Not seeing that as deterrent, I
listened through. I was impressed by their ability to easily infuse slow
and softer melodies, even sustain the flow of full blistering death
metal punches of the thick sounding guitars to a soaring point that is
uncanny to stylings of Opeth. The drums do not come short either. They
grab you; not only in its fair share of complexity but on how it is
performed – fast paced stomps in a way that is not overdone. I was also
relieved to find that the pinch harmonics on guitars were deduced to a
denumerable amount in two of the tracks. You know that annoying, eerie,
squeaky, note that is repeatedly stroked by some slam-death guitarist as
if the only fancy trick they've learned in their years of guitar-wanking?
Yeah, that one. And what's with the breakdown in ” ...Of Strife of
Discord”? I was not at all a fan of that transition despite it being
such a tiny portion - I suppose it is forgivable. The vocals can
deliver, too. Kevin O'Connor is immense with his high squeals and
savage with his low growls that the depth and variety is practically
heard in every song. A good mix of layers.
Seeing this band one day might prove
interesting as their overall musicianship is obvious. They've somewhat
caught the technicality of Suicmez, definitely. I hope they'll be fun to
watch as a live act because in my experience technical death metal bands
tend to be a lot less entertaining when seen live, often appearing
robotic and dull, effectively reducing them to what I call ”studio
bands”.
The death metal aspect in ”Paradigms” is
largely acknowledged; advanced and exploited in different ways that it
becomes so much more. I believe it's a praiseworthy album. Right on,
Ireland!
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