So 2015 looks like the year that symphonics/keyboards become the new black and come crashing to the forefront of death metal. They’ve long been around (Agiel, Fleshgod Apocalpyse, etc.), but already this year in 2015 I’ve heard new releases from Sarpanitum, The Project Hate, Arbitrator, Ovid’s Withering, The Monolith Deathcult, Irreversible Mechanism, Scarab, Sonus Mortis and this, the third album from Italy’s Embryo; and it’s only April. And all of them touting some sort of atmospherics, progressive element, synths or dropping the ‘epic’ buzzword within the framework of extreme or death metal.

logic(il)logic Records does not have exactly the strongest roster of death metal bands, so I was a little leery of this release, and the name ‘Embryo‘ hardly instilled confidence. But once I heard the band’s third effort, my first time hearing them, I was pleasantly surprised with the big, melodic death metal paced, chunky riffs, deep growls and heavily layered orchestration/symphonics that came across a like a heavier, less Gothic early version of Crematory mixed with a sci fi, sort of cyber, post apocalyptic Nocturnus/Hypocrisy-soundscape that complements the music rather well.

Embryo isn’t going to change the world but if you enjoyed the recent Arbitrator release, this is for you, even if it’s less Satanic and has a little more of a melo-death backbone (i.e. “Manipulate my Consciousness”, “Touch of Emptiness”). It’s got some nice beefy riffs as heard on “An Awkward Attempt” and “Fragment of Utopia”, some nice atmospheric moments and solos (“Insane Lucidity”), and just a nicely presented, confident sound that mixes death metal and keyboards rather well. And they can throw in a blast beat here and there as heard on “The End of the Beginning” or “My Pounding Void” and especially closer “I am Pure Hate” to remind you they aren’t completely soft.

But they can also reign things in with a slower, choral infused track like “Embryo” or more emotional moments like “Touch of Emptiness” and even a more ballad paced number in “The Door to the Abyss”. It’s all well produced and well played, even if a bit samey here and there. But still a solid album and a entry in a style that looks to be blowing up in 2015.

[Visit the band's website]

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