The Advent Equation – Limitless Life Reflections (Self-Released)

Wednesday, 27th March 2013
Rating: 7.5/10

Have to tip our cap to Mexico’s The Advent Equation for utilizing the dream team combination of Jens Borgen (Opeth, Amon Amarth, etc.) for mastering, and renowned artist Colin Marks (Nevermore, All Shall Perish, etc.). Too often young bands make the mistake of having one of their friends help out with crucial aspects like artwork and recording, only to find that it sucks. And since most bands lack the balls to tell their friends their help isn’t wanted, growth is stunted from the start. Being in a band doesn’t always equate to making friends…just ask Dave Mustaine.

As for The Advent Equation, their Limitless Life Reflections debut sounds totally professional, with Borgen’s sonic seal plain as day. It helps lift the band’s progressive death metal compositions from the ground, while giving the listener a chance to breathe in a sound that is part-Opeth and part-Arcturus, of all bands. Keep in mind the Arcturus nod only comes by way of the keyboard sound, which recalls the fascinating ivory action that took place on La Masquerade Infernale.

The band is prone to clean vocal detours, something that works on “On Darkness,” in spite of the obvious resemblance to the tactics found on Still Lifeand Blackwater Park (read: clean vox one second; death vox the next). The Advent Equation keeps the pace on the go, capitalizing upon brash riffing and winding constructs on the 11-minute “A Descent Into the Unreal,” while the acoustic “Visions of Pain” emerges as the album’s harmonious moment, with sinewy guitars, and soft clean vocals. It’s the characteristics that made some band from Sweden mega-stars in metal…not sure if it will translate to a band from Mexico, though.

Like the rest of the fledging young bands that take cues from Opeth, The Advent Equation will have to figure out how to develop their own sound.Limitless Life Reflections doesn’t appear to be in a hurry to get that solved the present time, but that’s what sophomore albums are for.

 The Advent Equation on Facebook

(This content originally appeared on Blistering.com)

[fbcomments width="580"]