Dischordia
Thanatopsis
(Rogue Records America)
Progressive death metal has seen a nice resurgence lately, in large part because bands are actually progressing the genre or at least really good at what they do. Oklahoma-based practitioners Dischordia fit into both camps with their impressive sophomore release, though Thanatopsis offers up even more in terms of promise. The band’s take on prog death is actually quite different, offering up strains of tech-death, groove metal (with a dose of Meshuggah’s polyrhythmic onslaught), dissonant death, and some nods to prog rock thrown in for good measure. In lesser hands, it would all feel rather haphazard, and there are certainly times it doesn’t feel perfectly mixed (the opening title track trilogy is both incredible and inconsistent), but this makes for compelling music.
What’s most interesting is this isn’t riff-driven metal, which allows for the solid bass work from Josh Turner to shine. The mix decidedly favors the low end, and that was a good decision. This is prog focused heavily on rhythmic interplay, and the musicians are talented enough to make it all work. This does lead to songs that are less memorable than they are enjoyable, but it’s a nitpick really. Thanatopsis is a wild and fun ride, so what it lacks for in melody, it makes up for in compositional integrity. Those that like to think and try to headbang will surely be in Heaven.
That said, the flaws in the record highlight that this isn’t the band’s peak yet. The uneven writing and lack of memorability are things that time can heal, so here’s hoping album number three is the album Dischordia is clearly capable of writing. They just aren’t there yet.
