Commit Suicide
Synthetics
8.6
With two releases already out on Willowtip, including a split with Misery Index, it seems that Pittsburgh's Commit Suicide have found themselves a comfortable home. Already garnering plenty of praise for their crazy and technical ways, Synthetics will do nothing but solidify the band's reputation by not only pushing the envelope, but completely tearing it apart and eating it. And then vomiting it up and stepping on it. And then kicking it in the ass.
Often breaking into chunky mosh rhythms, Commit Suicide throw racing and dissonant riffing into the fold that ranges anywhere from eerie ringing to downright shredding. For once I actually find myself agreeing with a band's press-sheet, as Commit Suicide could be compared to supercharged and more down-to-earth Gorguts in their bizarre sense of harmony. One of the deeper vocal performances I've heard on the whole, I was entirely surprised to hear Scott Evans muster up some high-quality screams. The bass performance on Synthetics is inhuman, pounding frantically along with total precision. The unabashed drumming, one of the many high points on the record, provides a sturdy frame for each song with an incredible array of fills and tempo changes. One remarkable thing about this album is its ability to combine complexity with actual heaviness. A lot of bands come across as just a bunch of wanky musicians trying their hardest to impress other musicians - Commit Suicide could play circles around most bands, but you wouldn't suspect it upon a casual listening.
I'd say for a death metal release, the production is flawless. Doug White, known for his work with bands like Earth Crisis, Sulaco, and Kalibas, ensures that every instrument can be heard with total clarity without sounding crowded in the least. Everything is clean and well segregated while maintaining a full sound.
Although some people may complain about the relatively short playing time of 30 minutes, Commit Suicide seem to know what's best for them. Get in there, kick a few heads in, and get out. No meandering about and getting tedious - they get directly to the point. Synthetics comes highly recommended to anyone feeling disenchanted with recent death metal.
