ATHEIST - Jupiter
November 25, 2010, 13 years ago
(Season Of Mist)
Death metal mixed with jazz isn’t as much of a rarity these days: thanks to Dillinger Escape Plan, Cephalic Carnage and Meshuggah, all of whom owe a HUGE debt to Floridian originators, Atheist. If all fans of the aforementioned unplug their iPods long enough to actually purchase Jupiter, all might be forgiven. Even after 17 years, Atheist remain arrhythmic (unless polyphonic counts), with dissonant guitar squawks, breakdowns and seemingly a trio of incongruous ideas in the same song. Somehow, the cello begun ‘Live, And Live Again’ is the least chaotic, even with the orchestral influx. Not too often you hear the wooden block (percussion) utilized, as in ‘Faux King Christ’! Herky-jerky “melodies”, Kelly Shaefer’s tortured, off-kilter vocals and the remarkable drumming of Steve ‘Gnostic’ Flynn… same as it ever was! Damn shame it’s all over so quickly. None of the eight tracks crack five minutes and three fail to break four. Given the considerable time in between releases, probably should have been able to come up with more than Side A of a 90 minute cassette. My how those old habits die hard.
