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American quartet Exist have been cranking out very good progressive/technical loss of life metallic for almost 15 years. Relatively than drastically retool their sound, they’ve constantly refined the stability of devilish aggression, jazz fusion instrumentation, and soothingly clear passages that first impressed followers on 2010’s In Mirrors EP. Their newest LP – Hijacking the Zeitgeist, which follows 2020’s Egoiista – raises the bar as soon as once more. Bolstered by a considerably new lineup, the file is a usually immersive trip whose nuances, symmetry, and economical runtime will make you wish to return to it as typically as potential.
As with all of its predecessors, Hijacking the Zeitgeist is led by guitarist/vocalist Max Phelps (Cynic) and bassist/vocalist Alex Weber (WAIT). Drummer Brody Smith (Satyr) returns as nicely; nevertheless, the LP marks the departure of longtime guitarist Matt Rossa. In his place is Charles Eron (WAIT), who additionally handles synth duties. Concerning the swap, Exist clarified through Facebook in October 2023:
“Merely acknowledged, Matt felt that his time with us had run it is [sic] course and … it was time for him to maneuver on. Whereas we’ll miss Matt’s skills, comradery and hilarious antics, we respect his determination and … will at all times take into account him household … Charles Eron has performed an enormous function on this new album together with his numerous ear, guitar taking part in and soundscaping skills. Charlie has already had an important musical relationship with two of us for years in his venture WAIT and has been on the scene for the reason that early days of the band, so it feels fairly pure to welcome him to the fold.”
Certainly, Eron does lots to make sure that the group sustains the whole lot that is labored so nicely for over a decade.
As for creating the file, Phelps comments that it was “probably the most enjoyable [they’ve] had making an album,” including: “Musically, I believe it represents a brand new period for the band with each a heavier sound and way more compact preparations. Perhaps it is honest to say that it is akin to our “Everlasting Waves” or “Shifting Footage” (for the Rush nerd, like us) by way of the band’s trajectory from the previous couple of albums.”
Though it is not that a lot of a departure from prior releases, Hijacking the Zeitgeist‘s 36-minute runtime positively helps it develop into Exist‘s most simply digestible but perpetually participating assortment so far.
Plus, their tried-and-true fusion of invigorating growls and calming singing are on full show all through the sequence. Opener “Blue Mild Infinite” – a track about “the addictive and misleading nature of our obsession with know-how,” Phelps explains – presents a very gripping instance of that back-and-forth brilliance. Elsewhere, “A Path to Nowhere” and “One Diploma Faraway from Human” observe go well with with equally fascinating outcomes, whereas “Funeral Toll” considerably overlaps the 2 approaches to mine ethereally engaging riches.
These tracks positively justify comparisons to acts similar to Death, BTBAM, Fallujah, Persefone, and sure, Cynic. So, too, do the difficult and versatile – but by no means overly ostentatious – preparations. Particularly, “Thief of Pleasure” options elegant juxtapositions of stampeding riffs and rhythms beneath (or round) transcendental guitar notes and restfully atmospheric detours. Afterward, each the title monitor and “Window to the All” faucet into vibrant jazz fusion jauntiness.
Exist have outdone themselves but once more with Hijacking the Zeitgeist. Past introducing Eron as an important alternative for Rossa, it sees the band as a complete upholding their excellence in each method possible. Whereas their earlier information by no means felt verbose, the truth that this one is significantly shorter solely serves to make it extra centered and replayable as nicely. By all means, test it out as quickly as you possibly can!
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