Review Summary: Circle of Contempt write another truly outstanding full length
Circle of Contempt release a metalcore record further generlized by a predominantly death metal influence and progressive leaning, boasting a characteristic success in execution. Artifacts in Motion, a monument in its own right, lead into E.P Entwine the Threads, that while good, seemed to lack virtues of excellence that both 2016 LP release Structures for Creation and the former LP exemplified, keeping them about right on track to put an emphasis as the reiviewer on the importance of full length album quality.
Structures is more polished than Artifacts being perhaps a key distinguishing feature. This includes aspects of production, composition style and vocal delivery. And regardless of what the release date may say about this, both end up working in each others favour. Artifacts really appreciates the roughness around the edges and sloppiness in drudgery. To that point Circle of Contempt's old vocalist's feral delivery was more suitable.
Whereas on Creation, everything, including the vocals is decidedly more down the middle. You could say that it almost sounds like a new band, but the comment wouldn't be entirely true. Structures still has the odd time signatures, powerful melodies, breakdowns and death metal vocals. This time, however, the riffs are much brighter, and the hooks more saccharine. Post production is more frequent. And the aforementioned vocals are not as wild; certainly more tame. A more standard affair of metal core. In this way the instruments are more center stage than before.
This is, perhaps, why they decided to release an instrumental version. Circle of Contempt has bonafide progressive instrumentals as a definite attraction. They wait the extra second to hammer the climax, and transition out of the payoff into new ideas quickly and seamlessly to add complexity to their arrangements and keep things fresh. All while intent on coupling with an undeniable accessibility.
The guitar work is intricate and melodious. The drums hit a tech-core spot that only that dry breakneck approach can satisfy. The vocals put in a clearly competent human element with which to hang your hat on. From a song writing approach there are no misses, earning them that perhaps elusive .5 extra that -core records have trouble justifying.
Consistency is this albums best friend. The last .5 was lost only by the mere possibility the band could have held onto an idea for an extra bar or full repeat once in a while, maybe developing a home run idea into a grand slam. This point is not to be overstated, however, due to how Circle of Contempt's general appeal is almost certainly delivered through masterful balancing between the immediate and latent reward, which I do not feel is to be criticized lightly.
It must be because of this happy marriage that I hold Structures for Creation as another truly impressive release by perhaps one of the most under-rated and pioneering acts in the genre, with a completely under looked album for the year by both scene regulars and general critics.
