Review Summary: A modern take on what Progressive Metal and Djent should sound like
Takatak seemed to come out of nowhere when they released "Fault Lines" as the first single from
Acrophase in 2020. Although these 20 something year olds had released an instrumental EP
Out of Nothing a year prior, they were very much underground. That was about to change. The combination of heavy progressive/djent riffs, energetic drums, and unexpected combination of screams and catchy clean vocals on "Fault Lines" felt like a gut punch. It was the ideal song to showcase the various facets of the band's songwriting, as well as getting folks to take notice.
Guitarists Zain Peerzada and Luke Azariah are the primary driving force, infusing a combination of technical yet chord-heavy riffs and off-kilter rhythmic drive. The guitar tones are heavy and chunky, assisted by the modern production which feels punchy and a bit 'spacy' thanks to the subtle keyboard embellishments. The mix ensures that all the instruments can be heard clearly, even the bass as Isa Najam lays some mean grooves and a solid foundation underneath the sonic pandemonium.
Although
Acrophase can seem chaotic initially, upon several listens the songs begin to unveil their layers. Not every song has a standard structure, with some forgoing choruses altogether. This can sometimes prove challenging to find the 'hook' within a song, but the creativity cannot be denied. There are soft moments on the album like on "Phantom" and the title track, and these make me wish there were even more to contrast the energetic sections.
The dual vocal attack of Ali Suhail and Altamash Sever is excellent because each singer brings their own personality to the proceedings. Ali's catchier and pop influenced melodies proving the perfect partner to Altamash' more powerful and piercing voice. Whether they're trading off vocal melodies or singing harmonies, it always seems fresh and in service to the music. Tracks like "Volition" and "Voyager" are the best examples of this interplay working effortlessly.
Another example of effortless performances is the drumming. The Ramay brothers navigate through the kaleidoscope of changing time signatures with such aplomb, you'd think they are seasoned drummers with 20 years' experience. They prioritise the groove and rhythm, but still bring huge technical ability to keep the drive of the songs at the forefront. They are the backbone for the band and are essential cogs to this tight musical unit.
Acrophase shows how youthful energy and creativity can lead to powerful results that push boundaries. You will hear shades of bands like Tesseract, Skyharbor, and The Contortionist in the music, however considering the boys in Takatak come from Pakistan where there is no financial support for underground artists, the vision to compose music of this level proves their bravery and musical prowess, which hopefully can continue for many more years to come.
Recommended Tracks:
1. Volition
2. Voyager
3. Phantom
Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/album/5FMvT4kTxVYSycnQyiF3Uw?si=G3NSY-CwSdqNpofkX_QR7w
