Review Summary: for i will descend to hell
Portuguese act Elision of Animus are a two man project dedicated to playing heavy music in all its incarnations. While distinctly deathcore in structure (the usual breakdowns pop up on every track), the maniacal vocals add a sense of disarray and insanity that very few bands in the genre can create. The band’s debut EP, Dementia, is a journey into the darkest depths of the human consciousness, forming dark, ominous shapes with its jagged riffs and unnerving technicality. The grooviness of opener Self Ventriloquist supports Sputnik’s very own Rafael Moreira as he unleashes one of the best vocal ranges in extreme metal, and while the typical stereotypes appear here, the overarching lyrical concept is so well developed and thought out that it doesn’t seem cheesy or forced in any way.
As the first track fades into an ominous instrumental, it blends seamlessly into the technical onslaught of Penumbra, a track displaying Daniel Pio’s Rings of Saturn-esque playing, matching a drum machine that manages not to sound overbearing. Then, the song descends into depravity as Moreira unleashes an inhuman growl that presents the sense of creeping insanity perfectly. The jarring, stuttering riff that closes the track is a precursor to the unsettling Umbra, which exposes some weaknesses (mainly in the drums) but also strengths such as the more prevalent bass. Pio doesn’t relent for a second and continues to bombard the track with chaotic riffs splayed over the rolling, bouncing rhythm, while Moreira expands his range even further with demented shrieks and creepy spoken word.
Absolutely on top of their game when it comes to quality deathcore, the band lose their steam a bit on the disappointingly short Fog of War, but pick up the pace again on the epic Memorial, a track that sees the band embrace a totally different style. It’s more than a little progressive, featuring gorgeous singing over a slow instrumental, dripping with atmosphere. After four tracks of rising intensity, the band calm down with a six and a half minute epic that totally takes them out of their comfort zone, yet maintains the concept so well it’s just a disappointment to see it end so quickly. I eagerly anticipate the second EP, and I believe this band have a bright future ahead of them.
