ATAXIA - Calignious

May 27, 2015, 8 years ago

(Independent)

Jason Deaville

Rating: 8.0

review black death ataxia

ATAXIA - Calignious

Death metal is a tough racket. Nearing it's thirtieth anniversary (if you are counting Death's 1987 debut, Scream Bloody Gore, as the first true genre-defining album), death metal has seen many ascend from the torturous pit of everlasting fire, only to descend back to the depths from which they were summoned never to be heard from again. So, how - in this age of artistic cannibalization, where everything has been been beaten to death (no pun intended) - can a band rise above the smoldering fog of stagnation? One word: consistency. What does it take to be consistent? One word: skill. These two words are interchangeable: consistency of skill, and/or skill at being consistent. Without these two things you are just another ridiculously-illegible-logo'd Eastern European death metal band honing their chops in a dim, dank basement. Sure, there are those of you out there who likely construct your library of extremity around indecipherable logos and abhorrent artwork; but, for those of us with more discerning tastes, well, there is Ataxia. This London, Ontario-based quartet has mastered the two aforementioned descriptors, albeit presented in a non-obtrusive, non-arrogant form.

So many of their peers, particularly those in the tech death realm, exude a holier-than-thou-look-at-me-noodle attitude. No doubt these bands have the skill portion down to an exact science, but the consistency is often nonexistent. With too much pomp and pizzazz, and not enough back-to-the-basics metal of death, the task of treading that fine line between musical narcissism vs. musical humility is a task for only those with the deadliest of intentions. Ataxia, whose members cut their teeth in many a stellar band before joining forces, exude the spirit of the legends that paved the fiery path which they tread. This is verified with their first full-length debut, entitled Calignious. Like a jagged knife tearing through epidermis, connective tissues, subcutaneous fat, and, finally, bone, Ataxia proves that death metal and technicality can compliment one another, without the use of smoke and mirrors - only blood. Each and every song is a sacrificial offering to the death metal demigods; not unlike the hellish proferrings of Nile, Suffocation, Dying Fetus, and the almighty Cannibal Corpse. Speaking of Dying Fetus, the album highlight, 'Opprobrium', features guest vocals of one Jason Netherton (ex-Dying Fetus, Misery Index). For those of you with a penchant for standing in front of a mirror watching yourself perfect your latest sweep technique, let the burning image of Ataxia's old-school-meets-new-school-death-metal stare menacingly back at you, as this stuff isn't going anywhere, anytime soon. Welcome the new spawn.



Featured Video

KELEVRA - "The Distance"

KELEVRA - "The Distance"

Latest Reviews