Italian band Exence's debut album was very much inspired by later-era Death. On their second strike, 'Tabula Rasa', the band decided to do it differently. In their opinion the latter era Death idolizing was done for good. While 2009's 'Hystrionic' was a very good release, I totally understand the band's move towards into something different. Half of the line-up changed and a second guitarist was added for this second album, all of Exence's music was written by guitarist Federico "Pule" Puleri.

There's not much of melodic lead guitar work left, except for some fine soloing and occasional mat-like processions. This is hard-hitting modern groove metal with voluminous deathcore influence. Machine-precise heavy-handed riffing and sweat-inducing drumming with barked and screamed distorted vocals. Loads of tempo changes occur as well breakdowns; anything from double kick drumming to blast beats and twitching beats are heard. The guitars are great with some nimble fret-board finger-runs. I just miss the melodiousness of the debut album a lot. The drums are another highlight with massive energy they are presented with. The vocals are on bearable metalcore side, especially the barking ones.

The songs do advance with vigour, but because of the varying tempos they repeatedly manage to lose me. There is not much of catchiness herein. Another thing is that now the band do hardly stretch the boundaries they operate within. It simply is too samey through and through with 'Tabula Rasa'. The production is a very hard-hitting affair. It does have boom and grit. Sadly it is a case of "an empty can rattles loudly" with the album.

'Tabula Rasa' isn't actually a really bad album, it's just more loud than it is embodied with good songs. It does its job on some situation, like when one is looking for some musical muscle. But in generally, sadly it ends up being a case of "an empty can rattles loudly" with the album.

Rating: 5+ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
02/11/2022 18:58