Necrophagist - Epitaph

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German technical death metal band Necrophagist incorporates the ornateness of classical music techniques into its fast-paced tech-death instrumentation. This influence is particularly reflected in its guitar solos, which are strongly emphasized in every song. The music created as a result of this is a brutal onslaught of aggression embellished with an evocative splendour. Like standard death metal fare, the lyrics are steeped in angst and violence. This band is the brainchild of guitarist Muhammed Suicmez.

Epitaph is a 30-minute album that packs a lot of virtuosity in it. It is short and punchy enough to be enjoyed at a stretch. The drumming plays a major role in keeping up the momentum of the music. The drums and bass create a thunderous backdrop against which the guitar solos are played. Most of the riffing is characterized by lots of pauses in its phrasing. This renders added power to the music. The single Diminished To B is the best instance of this.

Suicmez and Munzer interweave clean, intricate lines of melody with their guitars. It is impressive how they sweep-pick rapidly without disrupting the pulse of the music. Their vibrant solos add poetry to the sense of aggression that pervades the album. They also briefly pay homage to Russian composer Prokofiev’s ballet Romeo and Juliet on the track Only Ash Remains. Although Suicmez’ growls are unremarkable, they don’t take away from the expressiveness of the music.

Overall, this album is a must-listen for people who like music that’s as cerebral as it is scathingly heavy. It displays a world of emotive dexterity to happily lose oneself in. The band successfully moves its listeners with its neoclassical-inspired dynamism.