Periphery was from the start a djent band (should I really use the word?!) that was heavily tilted towards a more listenable experience for the masses. What was first a bunch of technical instrumental solo-projects was fused into a full-fledged band with vocals. It gave their debut album Icarus a certain unique sound and a fresh direction for this new "genre".
Here I witness the release of their second album with singer Spencer Sotelo and it's a mix of the familiar and new directions. Several of the songs are still older instrumental work refitted for vocals, much like the first album. Back are the frantic low-pitched rythmic and irregular staccatos typical of post-messhuggah metal.
The first track starts of with a great crescendo and could've been a very strong opening to a concept-album. But Judging from the abrupt restart of a new intro at the next track you can tell that this is more of a compilation album of spare ideas and riffs.
But are the actual songs any good? You bet! It's still periphery, it's still melodic, still progressive, groovy and the choruses are even catchier this time around. And there is a recurring theme in three songs that helps tie it together.
Periphery is walking a fine line between being a mainstream act and a strike of progressive musical genius. The songs are more varied this time around, and you can tell they are experimenting heavily with song-writing. The future of this band feels a bit uncertain. I feel there's a risk their sound may be sacrificed in the favor radio friendliness. It's a future that's undoubtedly controversial and intriguing to say the least.
If your into easy-listenable yet heavy and technical metal with new twists in it, be sure to check this out.
And if you're a fan of the first album, then you've surely already picked it up, and rightfully so.
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