Review Summary: Absolute cinema.
Jason Richardson's "I" really shines with its massive, cinematic soundscapes. The guitarist, famous for his technical skills, definitely showcases his talent throughout the album. What stands out even more are the cohesive song structures that make the tracks feel accessible, even with all the intricate instrument work. Take the opening track "OMNI," for example. It takes its time to build an atmosphere, mixing djenty guitar chugs with moments of silence that hit hard—like a giant beast getting ready to pounce. The production techniques enhance this dramatic feel, especially with those pulsating synths that signal impending danger. Plus, the chorus has a grand and sleek quality that really grabs your attention. Richardson nails the use of bend notes in the melodic sections, adding a nice emotional touch to the song.
The following track, "Titan," follows suit with its quieter moments that let the music breathe, but don’t be fooled—there’s plenty of technical precision here too. The fast-paced sections inject urgency and intensity, with rapid sweep picking that fits the cinematic theme perfectly. It’s like watching one Kaiju grapple with another, struggling to keep its footing, creating a moment filled with tension and excitement. Then there's "Mirrors," which brings a haunting carnival aesthetic that’s just fantastic with its gothic flair. The swirling piano notes layered over the djenty chugs amplify that cinematic essence. While many of the guitar riffs lean towards chugging grooves, Richardson keeps things fresh by subtly changing the rhythm every measure or so, ensuring it never feels monotonous. At first, the rhythm is steady, but then the drums might throw in some off-beat moments in the next few measures. "Mirrors" layers on these grooves, with guitar leads that complement the dizzying piano notes, cranking up the intensity. When the breakdown hits at the end, it really packs a punch, bringing all those elements together for an epic finish. There are intense strings in the background that give off a feel like a wild clown is about to go on a rampage. The outro leans into this creepiness even more, with music box chimes that get increasingly out of tune.
Plus, there are some vocal features that add variety to the mix. "Retrograde," featuring Spencer Sotelo from Periphery, has that cinematic feel once more, but this time it’s set in a digital world, especially when Sotelo sings, "We're holographic in a multidimension." The track can remind you of bands like Periphery themselves along with Veil of Maya, but what sets them apart is Richardson's unique production style and guitar work. He has a knack for creating a digital, cinematic sound that makes you feel like you're in a scene from Tron: Legacy. The ambient synths in the background enhance this energy. Richardson's guitar skills are truly one-of-a-kind, especially his pinch harmonics and the sleek, futuristic scales he writes. His playing can transport you to a larger-than-life realm.
And just when you think the album can't get any more packed, we get the powerhouse tracks "THOT 2.0" and "Chapter II," each over 8 minutes long, catering to hardcore fans rather than casual listeners. "THOT 2.0" takes everything we've heard so far and cranks it up to an even grander level. There's a part where it feels like you're climbing up with these uplifting melodies, then it suddenly drops into some heavy drums and intense guitar riffs. The next section gives off a feel like the earth collapsing into chaos with those djenty chugging rhythms and jolting lead guitar notes hopping around. The track hits hard, and it's one of the few on the album that doesn’t really have a catchy hook. But honestly, that’s a good thing; a song that flips expectations like this is refreshing and keeps the album from getting stale. Instead, it takes you on a wild ride full of twists and turns, and it’s a blast. There’s cinematic djent, and then there’s Jason Richardson's "I"—it’s on a whole different level compared to other albums in the genre. It really shines with Richardson's incredible and unique guitar skills, and it’s just amazing.
