Part of my anticipation was to hear what the new drummer, Nick Amato, would bring to the table. First of all, Nick pays careful attention to the techniques of his predecessor, Jon, in a live setting. One of my favorite things about Jon’s style for Axioma was how he knew when to drive and when to fall back to accentuate the riffs. Nick is just as meticulous with his approach for Primal Descent. The grooves and fills are perfect and the drum sound is impeccable. His approach to the ambient parts of the songs are jazz-like and I like how he brings some of the fill patterns from the heavier segments of the songs.
The Tracks
We kick off with some call and response on the guitars as part of the title track, “Primal Descent.” J Meyers and Cyril Blandino have distinct guitar tones that match the beautifully depraved sound myself and other Axioma fans love. The primary hook on the chorus has been stuck in my head since they debuted this as a single. Just because music is extreme, doesn’t mean it can’t be memorable. One of my favorite aspects of Axioma’s catalog is that most songs are dynamic with a mix of bludgeoning intensity and delicate ambiance. They flow beautifully, but it is really Aaron Dallison’s vocals that tie those pieces together in a way that reminds you you’re still listening to dark metal project. The punch at the end of the ambiance to close out the track, sets up “Spectre in the Code” brilliantly. In parts it reminded me of “The Tower” or “God Extraction” from Sepsis. That compelling wave from ambiance to intensity, akin to Isis or Neurosis.
When it comes to “Pageantry of Miscreants,” I double-checked to make sure I still had the right album on. Such a soft intro, unlike anything they have done. It is a perfect set up to the longest track on the album and conveys Axioma’s progressive side. For the same reason I love “Ascending the Mountain of Divinities” on Crown, Pageantry is a sonic quest of epic proportions. I especially love how the bass has a chance to really stand out on this track too. Aaron’s tone is perfection. As an isolated track, you could put a variety of music alongside it and it would hit. I love a good, driving bass line. The drums, followed by the guitars, pave for an excellent build. It’s captivating jam that highlights how well the four-piece write together… and how integral each musician is to the sound.
It is hard to say what my favorite track is, but if it’s not Pageantry, it’s probably “Fellowship of Serpents.” Unlike Pageantry, “Fellowship of Serpents” is relentlessly heavy and contains my favorite riffs. As I jammed out to the ascension of notes that characterize the band (if only for me), they had yet another surprise up their sleeve. About the mid-point of the song, they go a different kind of heavy, a way I haven’t heard from them before. I love how they stitch from one vibe to another and then just go full, classic dun dun dun dun dun heavy (that’s the technical term). Put another way, I don’t know how to describe exactly what they do… But for the same reasons I love Soilent Green going from blues to grind, the transitions are killer!
Order Axioma’s Primal Descent
You can order Axioma’s Time of Death via Bandcamp, here.
If you like this release, be sure to check out the two albums that proceeded it.
Follow Axioma
Alternate Shots
If you follow my Instagram, you may have arrived here because of a post. For the original post, click here. Below are the alternate shots and a couple behind the scenes pictures courtesy of Sean Deth (my better half).
