ESCHATON - Techtalitarian CD

Technical death metal band Eschaton return after a gap of six years with a reinvigorated, star-studded line-up that undoubtedly elevates their sound to hitherto unexplored heights. They have none other than Christian Münzner formerly of Obscura and Necrophagist accompanying the band founder Josh Berry on guitars. For the vocals, they have enlisted the services of Mac Smith of Apogean and Abyssalis and for the bass, they have brought on Scott Bradly from Inanimate Existence while Darren Cesca of Pillory and formerly in Deeds of Flesh and Arsis continues to hold down the fort on drums. Most importantly, this line-up sounds just as devastating on this album as it does on paper. They have contributed to creating a tech death album that can stand on its own and does not have to be necessarily pitted against any of the aforementioned bands' past efforts. The members excel in their own specialized ways and they manage to make it work. It is meticulously and passionately put together which is all too apparent in the music that can be dizzyingly fast and mind-bogglingly technical but also groovy and memorable while being on the whole diverse yet dynamic and pulsating with energy. It is not just music meant for the tech death fans; it is music that will invariably get them excited. As such, this should be regarded as an landmark album in the style, with the presence of the illustrious members in the lineup not taking away from the irrefutable fact that this is indeed great tech death music.