Review Summary: The most exhilarating album I'll ever lay ears upon.
Rings of Saturn are a technical death metal group hailing out of the Bay Area and they are one of the most talented acts in the genre. Fast, precise sweeps and otherworldly synths make this group's discography truly extraterrestrial. Of the three albums the group has released thus far, their 2012 album
Dingir is by far my favorite. An exhilarating near 42 minutes of high octane technical deathcore,
Dingir will mesmerize you in every way.
The album begins with "Objective to Harvest" by way of haunting synths that segue into aggressive riffs from Lucas Mann and Joel Omans. That's where frontman Ian Bearer comes in with throaty gutturals, backed up super fast paced drumming from Ian Baker and solid bass from Sean Martinez. "Galactic Cleansing" with some incredible dual guitar work from Omans and Mann. Bearer's high growls are a treat to listen to as he tows back and forth between his growls and his gutturals.
"Shards of Scorched Flesh" features some intense guitar distortion and deafening drumming from Ian Baker. Bearer's gutturals are very on point as this pulsating track treats the listener to dual riffage that shreds at godspeed before slipping in some slight distortion. It makes for a very cohesive track. "Faces Imploding" opens with more distortion and Baker's drumming is fast enough to coincide with the riffs.
"Peeling Arteries" features a dual guitar-drum combo that transitions into aggressive, pissed off vocals from Bearer. "Fruitless Existence" is a game changer of sorts. The riffage stops to gasp for air in the early seconds only to abruptly nosedive right back into the onslaught. The drumming is intensifying and the bass is audible enough to enjoy. "Immaculate Order" showcases the group's uncanny knack for technical precision. The tuning is altered slightly as the riffage is higher pitched unlike any track that preceded it. Instrumental track "Utopia" closes out the album in spectacular fashion.
Clocking in at just under five and a half minutes, the track begins with standard deathcore instrumentals before treating the listener to mid-tempo, straight up heavy metal instrumentals about half way through. The album's final ninety seconds are a pulsating affair as the group squeezes in every last ounce of energy and aggression in as fast as they can.
Dinger then closes, leaving the listener dazed and amazed. This album is a masterpiece to me. I will never not come back to revisit this death metal triumph. Cheers to Rings of Saturn truly touching the stars with this album.
