Genre: Technical Death Metal
Label: Metal Blade Records
Date of Release: 4 April 2025
Links: https://www.facebook.com/Allegaeon/
Line Up:
Ezra Haynes – vocals
Greg Burgess – guitar
Michael Stancel – guitar/vocals
Brandon Michael – bass/vocals
Jeff Saltzman – drums
Tracklist:
Refraction
Chaos Theory
Driftwood
Dies Irae
The Swarm
Carried by Delusion
Dark Matter Dynamics (ft Adrian Bellue)
Imperial
Wake Circling Above
Scythe
Technical death metal band Allegaeon is set to release their seventh album which features returning vocalist Ezra Haynes following a decade away from the band. He rejoins having last recorded on the band’s Elements of the Infinite record. The album marks a return to the group’s former vocalist stylings with heavy gravelled gutturals as opposed the cleaner approach deployed in their last three offerings.
From reading the title of the album and the track list there is a science-based slant to the body of work. According to the band the science-based lyrics are as challenging as the progressive musicianship, but they deliver a sound that Haynes refers to as “melotech” which ultimately gave birth to “The Ossuary Lens”.
When asked about the album guitarist Greg Burgess comments “I think in the beginning we were a little more stripped down. Very guitar-forward, focused ‘melodeath’. Over time, I think more technical, symphonic and progressive elements creeped in. Finally, where we are today is all of that combined, added with more ambient elements.”
Starting first track “Refraction” with Spanish sounding acoustic guitar before being joined by other strings I was wondering if I had downloaded the wrong album, however the technical flamenco style suddenly paused before launching into riff heavy second track “Chaos Theory” that commences with harmonised electric guitars before being joined by Haynes’ brutal gutturals. From these two tracks alone, it is clear to see why the group refer to the work as “melodeath” as there are flowing melodic guitar sections that could easily fit in a lighter genre of music interspersed with heavy vocalisations and chugging that are more akin to death metal. This variation gives the music breathing space and the contrast I always like to hear in my metal music.
When asked about his take on the album Haynes responds, “Each song essentially is a different topic, however there is always a different perspective of death tied to each subject. Since the entire album revolves around this overarching theme of death, and the different viewpoints associated with it, we found ourselves very attached to the word ‘Ossuary,’ and since the album takes look at death through different points of view, we found “The Ossuary Lens” to be very fitting for the album title.”
The variation within tracks continues through other tracks such as “Driftwood” that has more melodic backing vocals underpinning the chorus and the inclusion of a highlighted guitar instrumental section in the middle of the song.
“Dark Matter Dynamics” features Adrian Bellue and opens with technical acoustic guitar in a similar vein to the opening track before building to a heavier sound. The heavy double pedal from Saltzman in sections adds an additional element that adds to the contrast within the song. As with other tracks on the album, the variation really adds depth to the body of work.
Overall “The Ossuary Lens” is an accomplished album that sees a rejuvenated band at the peak of its powers. Allegaeon will spend the new year preparing and releasing singles and videos, before they hit the road on headline and support runs across all territories.
Written by: Dave Martin
Ratings: 8/10
About Author
