Review Summary: A new powerhouse in the Deathcore genre
As I listen to
The Farthest Reaches, the debut album by Santa Cruz, California band Son of Aurelius, I ask myself, “Why have I not heard these guys before?” To say I am impressed with their debut is a bit of an understatement; this could be one of the better albums to come out in the year 2010.
As soon as the first notes of opening track, Mercy for Today, hit my ears, I knew I was in for a ride. With ear piercing vocals, blistering guitars going all over the place, and stellar drumming, Son of Aurelius does not lack in talent. From the soft, piano led interlude of The Calm, to the ferocious pace of Myocardial Infarction, the band does not cease to impress on the technical side of things.
The guitars are the highlight on
The Farthest Reaches, with everything from tremolo picking, sweep picking, and monstrous riff after riff being thrown at the listener, along with some clean guitar for some variety, the guitarists display their talents. Just listen to the first 20 seconds of The First, The Serpent, and you’ll see that these guys come to play. Reminiscent of bands such as Conducting From the Grave and the Faceless, the guitars shred and flow their way through the record. The vocals are also impressive on
The Farthest Reaches. Everything from a low growl to a high shriek is utilized and there is never a dull moment vocally on this album. The vocals could benefit from being slightly higher in the mix, as sometimes the guitars overshadow them, but this does not seem to be a major issue, and does not detract from the listening experience. Some of the more notable vocal tracks are Facing the Gorgon and the title track, but the vocals are impressive in every song. The drumming is impressive, with much use of double kick and interesting fills that add a nice rhythm element behind the twin guitar assault.
With this being the bands debut album, it will be very interesting to see where they progress from here.
The Farthest Reaches is one of the better metal albums I have heard this year, and has a chance to be the best deathcore album to come out in 2010.
