THE APEX - The Apex
February 20, 2015, 9 years ago
(Independent)
This debut full-length from Windsor, Ontario's The Apex delivers a uniquely Canadian twist on extreme technical sounds. The band lay down a very impressive strain of tech hardcore/metal (but never quite metalcore) that brings to mind The End (I think that's the only reason this one has such a Canadian feel to me) and early Dillinger Escape Plan but in a way that is actually quite enjoyable, a word not often associated with bands of this ilk these days. Maybe it's the pure sincerity coming through in the vocals, or the satisfying production, or just the insane technicality being done so well, but this one stands way above the tech-metal masses.
Check out the absolutely hysterical hyper-caffeinated "Attack" for a great example of how this band shines, the twittering blastbeats backed into a corner by panic-attack breakdowns, the two eventually shrugging their shoulders and agreeing to just have a complete nervous breakdown on the floor together, all the while the singer doing his never-ending bellow over top. I'm glad this thing is a hair shy of half an hour, because any longer would be unbearable. (And bonus points for having someone from the forgotten Bloodshoteye on board here!)
