Singularity
Place Of Chains
Out 10/11/2019
Line up
Jack Fliegler – Vocals
Adam King Bass, Vocals
Nick Pompliano- Keyboards
Nathan Bigelow – Drums
Tempe, Arizona based misfits Singularity is back with a new album dropping very shortly, and I have to tell you people. It is awesome, I mean better than some of the stuff I have been hearing for the past ten months. There were not many albums that came out this year that impressed me thoroughly. There were some I was excited about, and were exactly what I expected from them. Place Of Chains is on another level, its album of the year material in my book. I’m not going to waste any time hyping this one up. I would only be talking about the first 5 tracks, however the first track is an introductory, and without lyrical content. I am also going to cover track #6 Desmoterion since that would make five songs with lyrical content, and also longer than 3 minutes in length.
#1) Bellum -The intro, what a nice lead up into the next track. I love when a band has a solid introductory track. While it may seem like a simple thing, some bands blow it in my opinion. This is how to lead in right. The first minute and a half has no drums. Then boom 1:40 things kick it up a level. The buildup is spectacular. A nice solo to finish things off and moving right in to the next track. More than just a mere introductory track. They pack a combo of killer instrumental work right before fading into Victory or Death.
#2 Victory Or Death- Hot damn this one is right out of the gate with rapid-fire blast beats, and menacing guitars. I need to give praise to these guys for beginning with “LET THE GAMES BEGIN” how can you begin an album with a more badass line than that. Jack just got everyone’s attention with that brilliant line. I feel like I do not even need to listen to the rest of this song to make my mind at how awesome it is. They give you hell for a solid minute and then ease up on the listener. I am sitting in awe listening to Nathans drums. Dude this guy is nuts. I mean the guy was touring with Alterbeast and filling in on drums for others at the same time. He can definitely hold his own that is made clear right now. Man the guitars just lure the listener right in. Whoo, that is a Ric Flair-esqe guitar solo towards the end of the song there. To be honest, this is my first chance listening to Singularity. I knew they were coming out with something so I held off listening to stuff from their first album until this album graced my hard drive.
#3) Sisyphean Cycle – Sisyphean cycle- grim intro with the vocals, a much slower start to a track than the last one. I get a bit more of a black metal vibe on this track. I’m not a big black metal fan, but, around 1:20, they eloquently begin to melt faces with that frenzy of blasts and guitar riffage. I must admit my interest was piqued with Blackened technical death metal but damn I like what I am hearing. I am really digging the technical death metal bands that have the black metal style weaved throughout in subtle form. These guys blend so well. I believe this is one of the singles they released and for good reason. It really highlights their ability to go the distance with so much spice added to the song structure. That last solo starting at the 4:58 mark is spectacular. I love the orchestration behind that guitar solo. I mean this is what I am talking about, absolutely brilliant sounding. The last minute and a half are killer. Goddamn these guys are on fire.
#4) Ritual of Regret – Nathan makes quick time getting this song set up and on target. It has a nice pace to it, and I am really digging the change of pace when the vocals come in. not a ton slower by any means, they still maintain a good pace. It was a damn good track to do some yard work too. Anything that requires your amped up energy levels, this is a good track. I would say for any people who listen to metal and get motivated. This album will help you rip the shit out of whatever you are doing Just a full disclosure, if there was one and only one song that I feel as though it is a little more 2 dimensional, or is a little leaner than the rest. It is the shortest track on the album not including the first introductory track. Nevertheless, it does not lack in quality, let me be clear. The meat to this song is impeccable. I guess the only thing I can notice is less solo work, less Nathan Bigelow drum brilliance.
#5)-Consume and Assume – This is a solid example of Nathans kick ass drumming skills. Just listen to that beginning. The dude is just straight crushing it with something that is jazzy, technical and then flips his blast beat mode switch and completely decimates any room for a spare note. Looking for a guitars solo that will make you want more, it happens right at the 1:43, mmmm listen to that solo. It feels like it had a double serving of soul in it. This is a fun track to listen to; the melody in the back is superb. They have constructed a sound so beautiful and yet damn they have such a razor sharp technical blackened death sound it is ridiculous. I genuinely am excited for anyone who is looking for something new, or have never heard singularity before, because this is going to be a fan favorite album. I am so impressed by this album thus far, it’s truly top tier metal.
#6 Desmoterion- Holy shit, this is absolute hellfire, mixed with legitimately everything you could possibly want in a track. This song clocks in around 7 minutes long, but have no fear you will feel like the song packs in a full 10. There is so much meat to this tune it is not even funny. In terms of how you will feel after listening to it. Well let us be honest with each other. You’re going to feel like there was life before Singularity- Desmoterion, and then life after this track. People are going to remember where they were when they heard it type of shit. Yeah, if they don’t release this as a single, it’s because they do not want to melt everyone before hearing the album in its entirety. If you have managed to hold your shit together through the first half then just get a load of the moment 3:55 hits, because this sets up such a magical acoustic melody with the guitars. Drums come in with just the right zest and they work that, building up 5:10 when the vocals come in “Release me…..” and then one of the sickest solos one has offered up this year. This track is a pure display of superior musical power. God damn now that is a chart-topping track. This song alone sells the album for me, I do not even need to listen to the rest to know I am buying it, but since I’m writing a review, I have listened to more.
This album is going to be one of my top albums of 2019. I have not been a fan of any black metal or blackened anything that has come to me in months. However, damn, this is different. Starting out the album with the first words you hear for lyrical content is LET THE GAMES BEGIN. That right there is to me a small meticulous detail but the fact of the matter is that this album absolutely crushes because of all the little details. The pianos, the melody, the solos, how they blended black metal and technical death metal without any fluff. They do not need to trim the fat; they are a lean smooth running machine of some of the sickest metal I have heard in a while. The amount of “Technical black, blackened death” etc. I have gotten, and how many I have even considered writing about is two very different numbers. This album can and will stand the test of time. This album, this band has blown me away. There are some heavy hitters on the guest list too. Malcolm Pugh on every track for the additional orchestrations. Nick Padovani for co composition and guitar solo, Jared Christianson doing some guest vocals on Victory or Death. This album is packed to the brim with talent. This entire album, from start to finish keeps the listener engaged. Every second of every song is musical platinum. I cannot find a single thing I dislike about this album, I just cannot, and there is nothing that could be changed to better this album.
10/10 go out and buy this ASAP your ears will thank you
Go on and get ordering before this drops on Friday
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