Review Summary: Peripher3y: Remember Who You Are
After digesting a complete spin of the appropriately titled
Juggernaut: Omega, it may be difficult to comprehend why Periphery chose to release the first disc, Alpha, in the first place. The quality of the songwriting and musical performances on this second disc is a night and day improvement over the uninspired pop anthems that dominated its predecessor. Sure, they aren’t achieving anything as noteworthy as they did on their debut but at least here they sound like they’re in their element. Not only does the second half of
Juggernaut outdo the first, it might also be their most consistent effort since their debut. The production, handled by none other than bass player Adam Getgood, allows each instrument the breathing room it needs to stand out in the mix and honestly has never sounded crisper.
Omega kicks off with “Reprise,” an intro track which reprises the melody from “A Black Minute” off of Alpha. It features some more of Sotelo’s whinier singing that I’m personally not a big fan of. Luckily, the song only lasts about a minute and a half before “The Bad Thing” hits with all of the intensity that Periphery are known for. The opening riff is indeed a breath of fresh air, waking the listener from the coma that Alpha might’ve induced upon them. Sotelo’s performance here is a step in the right direction; he even lets his voice do some great harmonizing on some of the melodies. The guitar work utilized on the track signals a bit of a return to form, boasting one of the best solos the band have achieved yet with this release. The next track “Priestess” wouldn’t have sounded out of place on Alpha, being the only ballad on Omega. The only difference is, the band actually sounds pretty good here. The track opens with a rather gorgeous acoustic melody that adds a fresh dimension to the band’s sound. Sotelo hits another home run with his melodic vocal passages, proving he has the chops to sing without whine-y melodrama when he wants to. The guitar work helps to elevate the material above what you’d consider a run-of-the-mill radio ballad, especially in providing another outstanding solo during the bridge.
The disc only gets better as it goes, culminating in two final tracks that serve as staples on
Juggernaut. The title track “Omega” is an eleven minute foray into everything that made the band’s early efforts so intriguing. The intricacies in the guitar riffs and frantic footwork of drummer Matt Halpern harkens back to the early days of the band, creating a kind of nostalgia that’s notably absent from the rest of this release. While some moments of the track are stronger than others, it still makes for some of the most memorable listening on either part of the record. But the album’s real treat is the closer “Stranger Things,” which may be one of Periphery’s finest compositions to date. Sotelo’s vocals really shine here, showcasing some great melody in the song’s early moments before the whole thing descends into a frenzied breakdown a minute and a half in. He sings with a passion that isin't as overwrought as what's found on much of the first disc. You’ll find no chorus more infectious from any other song on
Juggernaut.
Periphery would’ve probably been better off cutting much of the weaker tracks from the first disc and just releasing one solid and consistent project. Instead, we have a double album with an underwhelming first impression. Regardless, Omega does a fair job at removing the sour taste that Alpha leaves in your mouth.
Juggernaut: Omega makes it clear that the band is capable of being catchy and accessible while still exhibiting the skills and technicality to make them interesting. Let’s just hope that on future records they continue to stay true to their roots and not stray too far into radio territory.
Recommended Tracks: The Bad Thing, Omega, Stranger Things
