Unreal Overflows
Architecture Of Incomprehension
7.9
A.D. 2006 has been the year for technical death metal. Earache tossed out new ones from Anata and Decapitated, Neurotic let loose with Psycroptic and Spawn of Possession, Willowtip assaulted the senses with a triumvirate composed of Dim Mak, Gorod, and Sulaco, Galy gave audiences the latest from Martyr, Sensory offered a Cynic/Spiral Architect throwback called Twisted into Form, and Xtreem Music has jumped in the game with an impressive full-length debut from Spain’s Unreal Overflows – a band evidently quite taken with the early ‘90s scene, which saw the rise and fall of acts such as Atheist, Cynic, Pestilence, and the long-running exception, Death. Oh, did I mention that Atheist, Believer, and Cynic recently reformed? I didn’t think so, but you already knew that.
As I stated earlier, Unreal Overflows has much more in common with the groups of yore than several of the above-listed with the exception being Twisted into Form. In other words, both of the aforementioned are doing their parts to resurrect the technical death sound of the early 1990s, and are doing a damn fine job. “Paths to the Human Involution” has a strong Death vibe in place, and between the finely-growled lyrics, melodic guitar work, and acrobatic-yet-tasteful-and-fitting drumming – the song gets all Cynic-y at 2:45 for a time, too – Architecture of Incomprehension had me sold from the outset. Follower “The Unavoidable Passage of Time” utilizes a similar stylistic, instrumental formula (as do most tracks), but the bass peeks through intermittently a la Quo Vadis, which should only increase enjoyment. “Crematory of Forgetten Cries” is surprisingly heavy and melodic, “Unexpected Dimensions” is a two-minute quickie, while, oddly enough, the 1:30 minute mark of “What to Do When…” features a melody that is so morose Amon Amarth it’s uncanny. Other songs like “Is There Anybody Outside”, “Psycho-Thought”, “Pain of an Afflicted Soul”, and “In Darkness I Dwell 2005” don’t slouch in any department, and they all surpass the four-minute mark as most clock in at five even. “Under the Quiet Silence” simply closes the album on a short, acoustic note.
The major drawback to Architecture of Incomprehension is that it’s difficult to swallow in one sitting without eventually tiring – there’s just so much going on. Also, the classics hold up well, and they’re facing tough competition this year. Nevertheless, Unreal Overflows have provided tech death aficionados with yet another purchase-worthy record that, along with TiF’s Then Comes Affliction to Awaken the Dreamer, successfully captures the mood and sound heard in the most revered and influential outfits in the subgenre.
