Review Summary: Where the hell did this come from? And why is it so great?
I have to admit, most of the time got-djent.com is nothing but a flaunting place for a lot of bands that are otherwise unheard, and more than 50% of the time, it's with good reason.
However, I'm proud to say The Omega Experiment is one band that reminds me why I check this page every so often looking for talent. Because they've got it in excess. I'm talking bundle the greatest aspects of Devin Townsend, Nine Inch Nails, Dream Theater, and Kevin Gilbert and mix in some originality and sides of other innovative structure-heavy prog-metal influences, and The Omega Experiment is what you get.
Now, admittedly, I'm always wary of any sort of group labelled "djent" that has a vocalist. All too often they spoil the mix with misplaced and mismatched growls that counteract any sort of melodic atmosphere, or act as a cacophony when combined with the polyrhythmic riffs.
But here, the voices of leading man Dan Wieten combined with Victor Lazareus, Jeremy Dewitt, and Bob Guthrie layer together to form a veritable megazoid of a vocalist. At points they create majestic tones the likes of Devin Townsend; at others (sparse moments), the ferocity of power metal singers such as Russell Allen. But always, there is this beautiful leading vocal line that empowers and enriches the album, and only 'rarely do they miss a beat (one dischordant passage in "Furor" and one particular power metal scream in "Karma" seem to be the only detrimental points). As a matter of fact, much of the album doesn't ring true as djent. This is really just a somewhat new approach to progressive metal - melodic when it needs to be, heavy when it needs to be, but always thought provoking and passionate.
So, aside from the glorious vocal work, what makes this album deserving of a 4.5? Everything about it is not only appropriate, but brilliant. Every single instrument takes a building block approach to creating the song and those blocks all seem to be made of a similar, but different precious metal. Oh, there are solos, and plenty of them. There are also bass grooves, crystaline synth leads, and drum beats that, aside from actually sounding human, provide everything ranging from industrial beats ("Furor") to a jazz-rock backing beat ("Paramount").
But every piece of the puzzle knows where to go and when - meaning that if it contributes to the good of the song, that melodic guitar solo will sit in the background to provide atmosphere rather than electricity. The direction of the EP is so fluid and dynamic that it rings with the kind of passion needed to craft something so precisely. And the dual simplicity and complexity of this album creates an effect more stunning than you'd be tempted to believe. Oh, and the production is crystal clear as well.
If this EP is any indicator, expect big things from The Omega Experiment in the future. They may just emerge as one of this decade's brightest stars.
