Review Summary: The Faceless release a truly solid album.
Technical Death Metal may be one of the most 'misunderstood' genres in metal. So many bands attempt to release a good Tech-Death album, but more times than not, the entire effort ends up as a big, noisy failure.
Luckily, The Faceless are not one of those bands. Since their formation in 2004, the Californians have been serious contenders for the top spot in modern death metal. With their sophomore release, Planetary Duality, the boys show true musical complexity and that dexterity CAN be a working factor in Tech-Death.
Planetary Duality begins with "Prison Born", an interesting display of guitar technique, sharp licks, and bruising bass lines all set behind singer Derek Rydquist's maniacal roar. This track really stands on its own, and is not just and intro. Next comes "The Ancient Covenant". "The Ancient Covenant" shows similar progression, but is more of a story than anything. Artistic renderings of a full symphony dart in and out of the mix of harmonized guitars and the once again thumping bass. The music wholly creates an ethereal presence, slightly reminiscent of early Necrophagist.
The next two tracks walk hand-in-hand. "Shape Shifters" weaves a tale with scintillating keyboards, accented by the soft hue of a violin. The guitar, while not prevelant in the mix, creates an light atmosphere as it introduces the next track. "Coldly Calculated Design" hauntingly bludgeons your mind with blazing guitars (showing influence from early Scandinavian black and melodic death metal), ridiculous drums, and a demonic rambling of growls. The next track "Xenochrist" is along the same lines, but no less brutal as it assaults your eardrums.
"Sons of Belial" shows a much better vocal structure than earlier songs, where it might seem as if Derek is rambling on about nothing, and this new take on the album's vocals really contribute to the story the rythm sections once again weaves; compelling you to be grasped into suspension.
The nine song disc ends with an interesting, two-part take on the title track,"Planetary Duality I: Hidious Revelation” and “Planetary Duality II: A Prophecy’s Fruition.” “Planetary Duality I: Hidious Revelation” uses spoken word from someone who’s delusionally speaking about extraterrestrial beings covered up by the federal government as a dirge of slick shredding and drowning bass lunges at you, providing a chilling mood as if you were listening to a science fiction masterpiece. “Planetary Duality II: A Prophecy’s Fruition” returned to their formula of brutal ,metallic rage combined with spacey hooks attacking the senses.
Planetary Duality was like being taken to an extraterrestrial dimension. The music is excecuted perfectly, and the entire album has an atmosphere about it, but with that being said, one cannot simply forget it's flaws. As much as I love the progressive take The Faceless incorporated into this album, I simply miss the pure catchiness of Akeldma.
Overall, The Faceless released one of the greatest metal albums of 2008, and that fact is prevalent through every track. Planetary Duality proves to be quite a step forward for The Faceless, and hopefully their next effort will be just as enlightening.
