Periphery – Self Titled

15 April 2010

1. Insomnia
2. The Walk
3. Letter Experiment
4. Jetpacks Was Yes!
5. Light
6. All New Materials
7. Buttersnips
8. Icarus Lives!
9. Totla Mad
10. Ow My Feelings
11. Zyglrox
12. Racecar

Finally!!! I’ve been waiting a year and a half for this record and let me tell you all it was definitely worth the wait! First a little back story on the origin of Periphery and my girlish giddiness. Once upon a time, there was a man named Misha Mansoor aka Bulb, writing various tunes for various projects and uploading them on his soundclik page for all to hear and even download. I came across it a year and a half or so ago, forget how exactly but that’s neither here nor there. After hearing a few tracks I was immediately blown away by not only the stellar musicianship but also the D.I.Y yet studio-esque production of each track. With a collection of over 100 of Mr Mansoors instrumentals varying from melodic to chaotic blasting through my speakers at all times. Time goes on and I hear of his band, Periphery, so off to myspace I went and watched them closely. After a few lineup changes they finally announced a label and a proper studio full length release.

This album is everything I’d expect and more. The solid trio of guitarists, Misha Mansoor, Alex Bois and Jake Bowen, make shredding solos and amazing harmonies and rhythms that puts the Djenty trio in the record books. The solid vocal range of newest member Spencer Sotelo is perfect for Periphery’s fresh new sound as is the sporadic thudding of drummer Matt Helpern. All members bring something different to the metal scene and I couldn’t be happier than to watch this band skyrocket. All 12 tracks from the album were originally released as rough instrumentals from the aforementioned soundclick page of Misha aka Bulb, so technically I guess I’ve already heard this album in its rough instrumental form but trust me, these songs are better than the instrumentals of yore, as well, certain tracks contain little surprises that I will let you hear for yourself but I can say three words : Racecar, Jeff Loomis. Epic!

This is by far one of the best metal albums of the year and the progenitor to a new sound thats already taking over the metal underground worldwide!

This is the part of the review where I mention similar bands for sound reference sake but other than the Meshuggah inspired djents and grooves, its all new age forward thinking metal. Get it. Now. GO!

9.5/10