Andromida "Timeless" (2020)

 

Despite many spins, its been difficult to feel out the character of this record. Similar characteristics with the plundering Djent riffs typical of Progressive Metal has its chops of binary chugging grooves falling into a lull as its rhythmic grind becomes dull. The frequent bouncing of notes between the guitars silences is a trick I'm not always enthusiastic about. The distortion tone encroaches on the Doom soundtrack styling fully explored on Hellscape, yet here it mostly feels like a knee jerk reaction, as if its melodic colors always need to exchange with some grizzly surge of aggression.

It would be all to easy to describe Timeless as a bridge between it and Voyager. Although apt, where I think Timeless finds a voice is in its union of soft synths, lush pianos and a lead guitar that sings and wails like an expressive voice would. With this being an instrumental project, the constant intensity lacks a submissive quality putting a big focus on those eruptions of dirty Djent jolting guitars. It often overpowers the slew of melody its blazing lead guitar offers. Behind it the lush, soothing wall of electronic instruments curates a warm and airy timbre that is frequently overwhelmed.

It is the moments of calm and respite that Timeless suddenly feels with purpose and expression. There isn't a lot of it about but when those meaty guitars reel back and one can take in the delicate soundscape behind it, the music feels much more meaningful. Best of all, there are a few passageways where a rapturous guitar solo wages in, tandem with the bright pianos. It feels mesmerizing. Sadly, the record as a whole goes in all guns blazing. This really overloads the senses as its over the top guitars strip out the nuance of the accompanying instruments.

Rating: 5/10

Andromida "Hellscape" (2021)

 Naturally my enjoyable experience with Voyager had me curious for more. Clicking play on Hellscape, I immediately knew what would be next on the playlist. Kicking of with Havoc, the album blasts off with a banger of bouncy low end djent riffs and siren synths painting the hellscape its title suggests. The album art too hints at whats in store, as this particular approach to Metal with a heavy dose of dystopian Industrial synths is in tribute to composer Mick Gordan and his atmosphere defining Doom Eternal soundtrack, which aesthetically caved itself a niche in the Metal universe.

Sadly, others replicating this fusion of textural guitar barrages and hellish saw synths on overdrive tends to be hit and miss. Opening with its best track by some distance, Havoc embodies the best of this aesthetic. For the album experience Hellscape feels constrained by the narrowing options sticking to such a temperament imposes. Unable to escape the drive of eight string might and gravity warping synths, its flushes of string symphony always tied down to the monstrous weight of its dark demonic roots.

Subtle club drum grooves and nightly Synthwave vibes emerge on the journey. scenic guitar melodies expand horizons but the climax always falls back to the chug riffs and evil slam of the synths. As the album draws on, I'm reminded of Skrillex and the Dubstep drop fad, as the machinations of these two seem to get progressively more random and obnoxious in search of new grounds it never quite lands upon.

Only briefly on a couple of occasions does the intensity let up for some atmosphere. The respite serves it well but as the demonic onslaught marches on, it becomes clear this is a tribute to the game. It feels like a compliment to the Doom experience, the unrelenting tensions and onset of dread as demonic hordes descend feels intentional. Hellscape is a love letter to the style from a very competent musician and producer. Unfortunately for me, the style doesn't quite amount to more than the sum of its parts.

Rating: 6/10

Andromida "Voyager" (2018)

By name and title alone one can figure out theme and inspiration, its album cover a further confirmation of cosmic awe and wonder. Hitting play for its fifty minute voyage, one is lured in through a subtle layer of atmospheric synths as glossy pianos and a punchy drum machine ramp up the energy for rhythmic djent guitars to slam in with slabs of momentum. Swiftly do the hall marks of a one man, Progressive Metal project emerge. The lack of any vocal presence, the perfectly sequenced drum patterns and excessively proficient guitar skills. Initially a little shy out the gate, New Worlds fully immerses us in its guitar acrobatics and metallic aggression. Swirls of rapid fret-board tapping and polyrhythmic low note chugs kick into full gear.

Not a record to maintain intensity consistently, the songs navigate an arsenal of rhythmic assault riffs diving into the deep end of djent's obnoxious nature. It does so through many lulls and shifts that pivot from drives of ambitious Metal chops to the soft glowing ambience of its backdrop. Often compromised of serine strings, subtle synths, glitchy electronic noises and an ever present luscious piano melody, it straddles the two opposites with a middle ground led by big guitar chord strumming that unites its elements. It can fluctuate in a moments notices, jumping from the calm persuasive into flurries of powerful guitar led activity with all in between.

Its the lack of a vocal presence making this unironically feel a little less human, more observational, which its fitting to its space theme. The cosmos is a place that often seems still and majestic, yet its reality is a violet concoction of elemental forces. Initially this disparity in consistency felt empty, yet grew to be the records charm as the guitar became its voice and the shifts in density more welcoming with each listen. The whole experience now play like a soundtrack, I can focus on some other task as the magic churns away mighty conjuring in the background with its swells.

Andromida's brilliance is earned through repetition as its cold mechanical inclination, led by the drum machine, steadily gives way to craftily forged songs that hold one in its vision. I'm reminded of the genius Gru, with his timely djent riffs and swirls of luminous melody derived from tapping sequences. Its approach to atmosphere through the current trend of electronic stylings similar to that of Shade Empire. Although similarities with both, the constant twinkle of piano notes and airy symphonic backdrop gives it a real character of its own fir for the universe.

Rating: 7/10