Disintegrate
Rob Mules, 2017
8/10
A six piece from Norway who are versed in both ambient textures and heavy, dark riffs, this sophomore album from Adjentist is also full of tuneful choruses across 43 minutes of unpredictable and exciting song craft.
“Future: Digging Graves” starts the listen with chunky bass, thick drums and an overall progressive and hardcore friendly approach that offers both barked and growled vocals, and “Collapse”, with Benjamin Sture, displays precise, dynamic guitar work amid a harrowing atmosphere and raw intensity that even recruits soaring, clean vocals.
In the middle, “Hollow Heart” is an abrasive yet tuneful delivery of post-hardcore meets atmospheric rock, while “Reincarnated Evil” is a throaty and haunting step into ominous, meticulous song craft. The album highlight, “Shallow”, then pairs an incendiary rhythm section with both clean and abrasive singing amid a creative tension that’s both pretty and hard hitting.
“Within” and “Standstill” bookend the listen, where the former yelps with a metallic execution, and the latter finishes with a dramatic and ebullient display of Adjentist’s intriguing formula.
There’s certainly no shortage of inventive and thriving music on the progressive side of the spectrum coming from Norway these days, and with first rate records like this, Adjentist are easily at the top of that list.
Travels well with: Ring Van Mobius- The 3rd Majesty; Yobrepus- Mycelium Days