Hey there tech-fiends, I've got a special early album stream from Dark Matter Secret to show you today. Before we get into that, here's the usual weekly reminder that if you're looking for more cool music, all prior editions of this series can be perused here.
Instrumental technical metal has always had its place in the scene, dating back to the 80's with Cacophony's neo-classical inspired instrumental songs on their first album, and into the 90's with groups like Spastic Ink and the like crafting unique instrumental technical metal. It's only in the last decade or so that instrumental tech-death has grown into its own sub-niche, thanks to the likes of pioneering groups such as Canvas Solaris, Sleep Terror, Behold The Arctopus, Continuo Renacer, and Blotted Science. Oftentimes bands who go this vocal free route use it as an opportunity to explore a more prog-focused take on technical death metal. This explorative take on the genre woven inside a prog heavy setting is something that Dark Matter Secrets do exceedingly well on their upcoming debut, Perfect World Creation, which we're streaming early today ahead of its release this Friday, June 2nd through The Artisan Era.
The subdued and cinematic aura found on opener "Chaos Born" serves as a fitting and calm introduction to the hyperactive and complex onslaught of a swarm to come throughout the remainder of the album. The following track, "Ancient Gods Genesis" roars out of the gate with serpentine spidery riffs and immaculate leads, punctuated by beautiful bass lines and driving drum work. Splitting its time between shred heavy deathly fury and epic peaks of wonderment. Dark Matter Secret have a keen grasp on composition, the music here is never boring or a chore to listen to, something a lot of instrumental groups fall short on when filling in the space where vocals would normally be. Overall this song reminds me of a mix between Obscura, some late-era Death influence, and Beyond Creation, with a pinch of Blotted Science and Spastic Ink to it. This dense blend of varied influences shades the scope and style of the majority of the songs on Perfect World Creation, and that's definitely meant as high praise!
After track two comes "Emergence of Time", which is one of my favorite songs on the album and a high-octane dose of electrifying prog-death I can't get enough of. Once that near eight-minute mini-epic ends, the band follows it with "Synthesis of Matter", another multi-faceted and incredible song amidst an album stuffed with incredible material that never relents or dips in quality, all the way through into the closing title track, "Perfect World Creation". Which is an epic song that mixes and matches many of the prior songs best elements into a heady journey that soars like a wall of stars colliding against an ever-changing sonic universe. You're left in the crossfire, mesmerized yet bewildered, and ready to return to the enthralling experience again and again to unlock all it has to offer.
It's clear the band has spent an enormous amount of time in order to craft songs as intricate and varied as the six lengthy songs (and the intro) on Perfect World Creation, each song showcasing the jaw-dropping work of some truly next-level musicians. I'd even go out on a limb and bet you that a lot of people not normally into instrumental tech-death will love this. Perfect World Creation is that fucking good, and I suspect a lot of you will dig this as much as I do. So jam out to the early stream below and see how you feel about it. If you're enjoying it, Perfect World Creation can be pre-ordered in various bundles through The Artisan Era Website or through The Artisan Era Bandcamp page. Be sure to follow Dark Matter Secret over on their Facebook page.
