Swiss technical death metal newcomers Adelon have been putting out strong singles since December 2022, and now it is time for the debut EP 'Resurgence'. A weird name for a release from a new band?! Well it would, if it wasn't a reference to the lyrical themes:

"Shedding this decaying flesh, these tired and fracturing bones...
In the aeons to come I will not see, I will not hear, I will simply know...
All I have ever been, could ever be, the shadow and the light is made one and set free.
This is my rebirth, this is my resurgence."

With these four songs, Adelon present multitude of faces, like a shape-shifting entity. "Modern" is certainly a fitting term to them. There are loads of deathcore-ish rhythm work and riffing. Ultra-heavy and twisting riffs and swarm-like guitar bursts are accompanied by discordant stuff as well as soft and more melodic passages, not forgetting some acoustic guitar bits; the majority of this is still on the heavy side. The rhythms aren't that much about straight double kick drumming or something like that, but varying gushes. This doesn't cut the flow of the music in any way, but everything feel to be in sync. The whole is incredibly tight and precise, yet it miraculously still breathes. The vocals are colourful, powerful, mostly low-ish growling and it's intelligible, too.

The music often moves on, as the compositions are not clinging to certain parts for a very long time or repeatedly, so the aura of progressiveness is strong. As is alien-ish demeanor as whole (eerie piano intro, saxophone featured on the opener and keyboard soundscapes help to lift up this vibe, certainly). The important thing is, that while it is a bumpy and hectic ride, I feel it stays on right course and doesn't go astray; it feels right in a peculiar way. Okay, this is not even close to weirdest shit ever, but it's not your every day death metal either. Also, the song length is mostly around 5 minutes or less; anything this fast could take too many sidesteps at any corner and stray into nothingness. They were able to throw in many surprising things in just 18 minutes. No-nonsense technicality and impactful power coalesce in Adelon's performances and every element feel that they were carefully intertwined with all other bits and bops.

As the production sounds delightfully organic and biting, Adelon are one of the newcomers of year 2024 with this fantastic EP. Even the cover artwork is beautiful, so I cannot give any negative commentary here. If technical death metal is what you crave for, then do not let Adelon's spaceship pass you by in any case! Now I hope there will be a physical edition of 'Resurgence'... And a debut album!

Rating: 9 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
06/23/2024 19:23