Alien [Enhanced]

The best way I can describe this record is the sound of a band finally realising their full potential. And what potential. Where "City" had lots of blastbeats, "Alien" has interesting, varied and surgically-precise drumming with the odd awesome blastbeat inserted here and there. Where "City" had significant repetition of riffs, "Alien"'s riffs constantly evolve and change throughout the course of each song, whilst still staying true to the "feel" of the individual song. Where "City" had loads of screaming, "Alien" features easily the best combination of screaming and melodic vocals that Devin has ever produced. Where "City" was very heavy on the treble, "Alien" has bass in profusion. And "Alien" has solos. Listen to "We Ride", and you'll see what I mean. And there's variation between songs. Not every song goes at lightspeed - there's a balance between velocity and more laid-back tempos, which isn't to say the slower songs are less heavy - far from it. If anything, the changes in tempo make the album more interesting as a whole than it would have been had every song been a slower number or a 300bpm blastbeat-fest. Where the previous self-titled album was something of a step backwards, "Alien" represents an emphatic leap forward.

Look, I'm not even going to extol the virtues of this album anymore. Just buy the damn album, and show your support for a superb group of musicians who have dedicated themselves to producing quality metal. You won't regret it. :)

Such is the impact of "Alien". One listen to it almost causes an overload of your synaptic pathways, there is so much happening at once that it takes a little time to adjust to the sheer complexity of the material. Of course, the Dev isn't exactly a simple musician, but even for him the music is on another level.

There are, of course, inevitable comparisons to "City" and "SYL" floating all over cyberspace. "City" has been established as the benchmark by which all future SYL releases shall be measured, while the eponymous third effort left several people a little disappointed. "Alien" not only atones for the relatively weaker "SYL", it exceeds the expectations set by the standard of "City". The sound is more epic, the bottom end more refined and defined, and the axemanship more elaborate. And of course, there's Devin; the vocals, demented and screaming on "City", and reduced to bare shouting on "SYL", have found the middle ground perfectly with this effort.

I'll make this simple, then: you will stop reading this review. You will head to your nearest record shop. You will pick up "Alien" from the metal section. You will go to the cash desk. You will purchase said album. You will go home and play it. And you will let out an almighty "WROOOOAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!" when it fries your mind. Enjoy.