EXIVIOUS
I love Cynic. I'm not too aware of Textures. And I've never heard of Sengaia. I also don't care too much for instrumental albums. Single tracks on albums are fine, but an entire album, to me, smacks of pretention. Usually, that assessment stands up; with a few that shatter that rule (Joe Satriani seemingly can do no wrong). So, do Exivious have what it takes to wow me and join the short list of artists that don't make me want to cut my ears off? Kind of. It takes some getting in to, especially as the first couple of tracks are actually quite dull; in the sense that they are just a bit 'Dream Cynic Theater'. However, gears get properly kicked up one by the time track three (‘Asurim’) arrives. Replete with off-kilter tub bashing, neat bass walking, and some effective guitar wanking (let's not argue; it is flying solo for fret wranglers). Tracks four and seven (‘All That Surrounds’ Parts I & II) are just beautiful. Fretless bass lines swirl around a delightful effected guitar line, with the percussion striking the right balance of presence; framing the harmonies, but not drilling your mind. I'm not keen on their use of the phrase 'Fusionmetal' as being something unique and new. We've heard this all before; sometimes better, more often worse. It's worth mentioning too that I didn't really miss a vocal on this CD. That must be the greatest compliment I can level here. I can stretch to recommending this, but only if you are open-minded to instrumental albums. If you're not, I can't see this changing your mind.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Self-released
Album
EXIVIOUS
Review by Steve Cowan
RUNNING TIME:
46:31
RELEASE DATE:
11th May 2009
TRACK LISTING
1) Ripple of a Tear
2) Time and Its Changes
3) Asurim
4) All That Surrounds Pt1
5) Waves of Thought
6) The Path
7) All That Surrounds Pt2
8) Embrace the Unknown
9) An Elusive Need
2) Time and Its Changes
3) Asurim
4) All That Surrounds Pt1
5) Waves of Thought
6) The Path
7) All That Surrounds Pt2
8) Embrace the Unknown
9) An Elusive Need
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
Netherlands
"Fretless bass lines swirl around a delightful effected guitar line, with the percussion striking the right balance of presence; framing the harmonies, but not drilling your mind."