Higher Place [VINYL] [Import]

A Higher Place picks up RIGHT where A New Reign left off, with the building beautiful piano section on Rebirth (same one from The Takeover). Immediately following, we are made aware than Born of osiris means business on Elimination. Hard hitting, Heavy riffs, changing time signatures, and their signature progressive feel. However something is different right away.

Less Breakdowns, More melody and more structure. The Synth becomes even more of a key component as it gives each song its colour and character. They make the songs feel as though they have direction, and the result ends up being an epic sound.

Not to say there aren't some tasty breakdowns. There ARE! And the melodies that are layered over the breakdowns compliment them quite well and add to their originality. However, in place of some of the traditional breakdowns we're used to, Born often breaks down into a jazzy beat that shocks yet pleases. My favourite case of this is on the track "Starved".

Some Standout Tracks: (This was so hard as every track is unique.. not often the case in this genre)

Elmination - Heavy and progressive, yet finds and epic and beautiful feel near its ending.

Now Arise - Catchy and heavy, has one of my fave endings. Wicked breakdowns

Exist - Catchiest song/breakdowns since Abstract art. Unbelievably original breed of Death Jazz

Thrive - Best of every world. Just a great song with heavy breakdowns and melodies.

Faces of Death - What an ending to this album! Love the major key riffing in the end and the nice synth touches. Fantastic!

Overall, Born of osiris went from being a young and aspiring technical death metal band, to a master of their domain. They have truly settled into their own unique sound and have set the bar for song writing and technicality in this genre... and any genre for that matter. Please Check this out

If you're discovering this album somehow without having heard their first album, well... you're essentially going to be hearing a different band. The production on this album is really good; the guitar tones remind me a lot of Slipknot's album, "Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses" in that they're raw and earthy; not compressed and digitally rendered. The band is a lot less technical on this album and much more straightforward in their delivery. Unfortunately, while I do dig the vocals, the atonal screaming the whole time gets kind of old with me these days. I'd love to hear much more dynamic usage of vocals (see: Periphery, Cilice, TesseracT, Textures) but that's something I have a growing opinion of these days with bands like this.

Honestly, that's my only critique of this album in searching for something I'd like to hear done differently! Oh, and the album is really short - just like their last one. I think it clocks in at just over 30 minutes or so. I gave this album 4 stars because there isn't as high of a replay value in this as their first album had for me. I'll definitely listen to it, but it'll have to be from time-to-time. Their last album was way more technical in nature with a lot of breakdowns and a lot of polymetric passages. Not so with this album; they really do pull off sounding like seasoned veterans with their instruments.

In my humble opinion, for their next album, I think they should find the balance between, "A Higher Place" and, The New Reign" all while taking a chance by throwing in MUCH more dynamic vocals! Harmonies, singing, and screaming over a combination of the technical nature of their last album with the songwriting and melody from this album... that would make for one heck of a contender in this genre, I think. Anyway, definitely grab this album. The only thing you'll be disappointed in is how quickly the album ends!

After being drawn in by the seductive intro 'Rebirth', you are immediately slapped in the face by what could be the most refreshing transformation in metal history. Born of Osiris did away with the breakdowns and said "hello" to writing dynamic, progressive songwriting. There aren't as many songs focused on the keyboards as The New Reign did, but instead incorporated more guitar melody.

I'm sure that scene kids worldwide are going to hate on this album left and right, aching to hear their precious breakdowns once more. A Higher Place has many characteristics that The New Reign had. Bone shaking blastbeats, progressive technicality, and melodies that will bring you to your knees. The one thing this album doesn't have that The New Reign did, is a disappointing number of songs on the track list. A Higher Place pumps out a mouthwatering 13 tracks and only contains one filler (the intro), which is forgivable. If you are familiar with The New Reign, when you hear the intro you will notice that it sets the tone for what some might call "the new Born Of Osiris" with the way that it incorporates the outro melody from the final song on The New Reign but with the new twist of A Higher Place.

As for the appeal of the songs, there's not much to say other than it barely gives you any time to rest. From beginning to end, you are pummeled with fast guitar riffing, relentless vocals, and more amazing drumming than you can shake a stick at. One song that I'm drawn the most to is 'Starved', which to me is the total package of metal.

There's nothing much to say other than to give this a listen for yourself. More than worth the purchase. If you're looking for an album to hardcore dance to in your bedroom at your mommy and daddy's house, this ain't it. If you're looking for musical genius that will make you want to punch your Grandma in the teeth, pick it up.

Goodbye deathcore, hello real music.