Thankfully, whatever magic imbued Diagrams of Consciousness with its unforgettable character also helps define Circulate’s sound. While the former was proggier and more musical to an extent, the latter bursts with exuberant personality and technical wizardry. Circulate is a relentless barrage of ridiculous riffs, acrobatic percussion, multifaceted vocal expulsions, and memorable songwriting. A vicious blend of early Gojira, Ars Magna Umbrae, Atrae Bilis, and Hath, 2023’s iteration of the Omnivortex sound prioritizes irrepressible wiolence and razor sharp hooks above all else. To that end, the band fearlessly dabbles in the weird and horrifying (“Mechanical Motions”), the thrashy and speedy (“Husk”), and the groovy and swervy (“Harbingers of Cosmic Death”). Despite the wide array of styles and approaches integrated inside this album’s compositions, the whole coheres more successfully than Diagrams of Consciousness did, and secures Omnivortex’s identity as versatile and maturing songsmiths.
You’ll notice soon enough that the standout tracks listed above all originate from the back of the record. That’s because all of my favorite songs, save for the awesome opener “Dwells,” come out of the second half and demonstrate Omnivortex’s developmental arc as musicians best to these ears. Unbelievably entertaining, but not overly complex or remotely pretentious, the ungodly hot streak from the kinky “Mechanical Motions” to the death-doomed stomp of closer “Endless” brooks the listener no quarter. Punishing riffs coalesce with wiggly lead guitar passages and contorting percussive rhythms to form intricately detailed, but not inaccessible, material. Unlike lesser back-loaded records, however, you’ll find choice cuts of compelling songcraft at Circulate’s every juncture, including but not limited to: unhinged Veilburner soloing in the final quarter of “Mechanical Motions” meshing with Blindfolded and Led to the Woods-esque chugs; Revocation-like fret abuse on “Husk” shredding everything in sight; bouncy hooks digging deep into your brain as on opener “Dwells”; and horrific NightmarerERed writhes in songs like “Transforming to Pale Mist.” These standout moments allow each and every cut to penetrate the psyche with its own unique voice, while still safeguarding the aesthetic unity of the collective.
It’s true that I cannot easily fault Circulate’s songwriting because the high level of creativity and memorability demands my attention and admiration. However, it did take some time for this record to click, especially compared to my immediate and continued fascination with Diagrams of Consciousness. That debut contained massive hits, like “Barren,” “Cephalic Fluid Extraction,” “Gargantua,” and “At the Mountains of Madness.” Those highs remain unmatched in Omnivortex’s catalog, evidencing a tradeoff present in this follow-up. To make up for a lack of songs that set a new high water mark for the band thus far, Circulate instead maintains a higher and more consistent mode quality level across its tightened forty-four minute runtime. In the end, this exchange was the smart move, as it allows listeners to glean greater rewards from repeat spins, thereby placing this follow-up just above its predecessor in rank overall. That said, if Circulate’s weakest songs (“Of Aeons Past” and “Slumbering in Black”) provided a nasty hook of the same sharpness as its best offerings (“Mechanical Motions”), I might not have needed as much time to fully appreciate them. As a final note, Omnivortex could stand to massage their longer and slower songs a bit further. “Slumbering in Black” and the otherwise effective “Endless” feel a touch bloated, sapping a modicum of momentum.
Omnivortex are, simply put, a force to be reckoned with. Tech death with a blood thirst, Circulate makes no time for superficial wank or fruity opulence. No, this is tech death for folks who want to disrespect their surroundings in the most unrelenting and destructive manner conceivable. Circulate proves that these Finns are more than up to that task, and earns itself a permanent slot in my circulation.
Rating: Great!
DR: 8 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Inverse Records
Websites: omnivortexofficial.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/omnivortexofficial
Releases Worldwide: September 29th, 2023
