Emanations

Originally slated to be released last March, Ouroboros' second attempt, Emanations saw the band taking on a more symphonic or orchestral approach. Before the album's supposed launch, the band released a song called "The Sleep of Reason" which I think surprised most if not all who have heard their first album, Glorification of a Myth. Ouroboros' first album was nothing short of a technical death metal record with its intricate musicianship and complexity, but maybe that was all it was in hindsight. With Emanations, I feel as if the band has elevated themselves into a whole new dimension, leaving the scientific, almost alchemical plane displayed in Glorification of a Myth.

Those who have heard "The Sleep of Reason" could have thought it reminded them of bands such as Fleshgod Apocalypse or more closely Aeternam. I could note that it was not too technical and maintained the same time signature throughout its entirety, something different on this band's part, but that didn't ruin the song. It was full of atmosphere which is something I needed more from Ouroboros. The said song is the second track after a powerful intro that showcases every element of the band's capability and the album itself. While the band has implemented a lot of orchestral work into their new release, they have not lost their core technicality, which is obviously the most important aspect at this point in their career. Things pick up where the intro track left off after "The Sleep of Reason" until the fifth track's slower acoustic intro that drastically turns into the heavier, complex songwriting expected from the band. It's from here that I feel Ouroboros has blown my mind once again.

"Beneath Heaven's Waves" is a favorite of mine off this new album because it seems that the old and new elements are entwined in musical balance. After a trip that I imagined was a chaotic spiritual journey to immortality, the album ends with an almost nine-minute opus of eerie guitar tones and acoustic rhythms being a highlight. It astounds me that the band continues to make the technical yet catchy riff-work, brutal drums and vocals, groovy bass and still have the balls to put in an "epic" element in their new efforts. Once again, I commend everyone in the band for being on the same level of technicality all throughout, although their vocalist still doesn't rank too high in my book. It was cool to be able to hear the bass on some songs as well.

For awhile, Ouroboros was my favorite technical death metal band, and even if that isn't any longer the case, they still have all the reason to be put on that high a pedestal. Emanations is their new masterpiece. Ouroboros in Greek mythology is an immortal serpent of life, which for me was always a cool concept and should have been a band name for a symphonic death metal band. This is pretty much the "Ouroboros' I've always imagined it'd be: brutal and technical yet melodic and harmonious. I think this album is up there with Nile's new release, so pick it up.