Review Summary: Hidden Gem Buried Amongst A Scene Teaming With Trash
There are bands out there that will probably never earn the well deserved recognition they long for. Bands as such stay in the underground catering to their small fan base, vanish into oblivion being one album wonders, or if they’re lucky; get picked up by a big label. Some are highly deserving of the latter while others make the choice of leaving behind their trademark sound. When staying true to yourself and putting out good music is your focus, it’ll show in the material. Trends, fads, and gimmicks loose appeal, memorable riffs and songwriting packed with emotion and feel stand the test of time.
Now you have a relatively unknown 4-piece band by the name of Archons who play an astonishingly technical mix of death-metal with a profound sense of melody. Even the heavier parts are laced aggressively with melody. Sprinkled throughout the album there are the occasional metalcore-like song progressions. A few breakdowns like the one on “Of Pride And Prejudice are present, but fear not these take nothing from the music. This combination has been done a million times over, but Archos executes it with unrivaled precision and creativity.
The instrumentation on The Consequence of Silence will in no better words, blow your mind. If you have friends that still live in the Stone Age and think heavy metal is all Chug Chug, Bree Bree, and Epic breakdowncore Archons is the band to introduce them too. The riffs on this record never grow stale; they rarely if ever overstay their welcome. Archos is a band that knows when to let go of great riffs right before that “holy %$#&” factor is lost. Well, that’s expected when the guitarist, Tom Barrett is skilled enough to crank out awe-inspiring riffs at random. Songs are memorable not by that one “cool part” but by the overall composure. Archon has the tendency to vehemently seize your attention with no intent on letting go. Like a beautiful woman with a bad attitude that just won’t let you go, it’s hard to say no.
Which brings me to the melodies; although they do at times resemble melo-death heavyweights At the Gates, In Flames, and Dark Tranquility there dare I say far more interesting. The melodies here are played with passion and vigor, spontaneity, and creative genius.
Also, Instead of sectoring off an entire track to a jazzy interlude that nearly everyone skips over, Archons seamlessly incorporates them amidst the musical chaos. For example, the jazzy section in Enigma of Torments has enough soul to leave any jazz enthusiast in awe. And for the the solos? They don’t merely compliment the songs; but they bring them to a level of unfounded glory. There’s no pause or gimmick to bring attention the solos, they just slip through gracefully. Weave their way in and out, short and sweet yet so gripping they leave there impact. Pulverizing Inners Thoughts for example has some of the most well written solos (yes solos) that I’ve ever had the pleasure of hearing.
As in most music of the same genre, the drums play a more laid back role, remaining in the background. Archons took that stigma and threw it out the window. The drums here are fierce, executed with lightning fast alacrity. There tight, precise and show noticeable restraint. Scott Driscoll knows when to boggle your mind and when to take a back seat. Archons plays as a unit, no one instrument outshines the other. Except maybe the bass which does the opposite, it remains inaudible most of the time but does have a few select moments scattered sparsely throughout the album.
Now on the vocals, to be honest there just about the only weak point of the album. Vocalist and bassist Sebastian Audett, sounds near identical to Dark Tranquility vocalist, Mikael Stanne. This can be seen as a good thing, while others may see it as a longing for acceptance from DT fans. Fortunately, they never bog down the music, they compliment them quite nicely actually. There is a black-metal type shriek buried somewhere in the album. And there are a few gutturals used sparsely on the latter tracks, but that's about it.
The Consequence of Silence is an album that’s made to be enjoyed in a quiet room with little to no distraction. The songwriting on COS is only written for those willing to take it all in gradually. I may be a little late on this review, but it’s never too late for such a great band to be given attention. There are no weak tracks on this album, there only good and great. Archons has raised a bar that most bands out there will probably not even know exists. This review has only scratched the surface of this album, its actual unfair to claim that it even does it half the justice it deserves. Do yourself a favor, check this out.
Recommended Tracks
Enigma Of Torments
Of Pride And Justice
Plague Of Corruption
Pulverizing Inners Thoughts
Beyond Anger
