Imperial Triumphant - Alphaville (2020)^{Release ID: 22677}

I may not be the best person to talk about this kind of music, but fuck it here I go! I have never been all that well versed in the world of technical death metal, but in 2020 I have forced myself to try and see if there is anything within the genre worth my attention. It started off with a really good new record from Ulcerate, followed by a dive into some new technical thrash/death with Cryptic Shift, and now we have Imperial Triumphant’s fourth album Alphaville; and the strangest of them all.

I don’t even know where to begin with this thing. The atonality found within is terrifying, even more so when it immediately follows an extended softer reprieve passage. I feel like this album is borrowing much more from a band such as maudlin of the Well or Kayo Dot. Hell, this record has more than it’s share it common with the last Oranssi Pazuzu album. The first half of this project is brimming with time signature changes and unconventional instrumental techniques. The second half does become a little more musical, highlighted by the horn solo that leads off “Transmission to Mercury” and late complimented by blast beats and tremolo picking guitars.

The production helps save this record’s first half by being prim and proper. The guitars are relatively quiet in the mix, but highlight some strong foundations in the bass, but more importantly, the howling vocal mix of Ilya Goddessraper, the eerie vocal choirs that persist throughout the project and the occasional horn breaks. On an album as alien sounding as this, one small falter in the mix could spell disaster, and I think the group and their producer did an excellent job of not allowing the cacophony of sounds to become overwhelming, since the music will do that itself. When it gets to “Atomic Age” and “The Greater Good”, the mix can get a little rougher because the song structures are generally more favourable.

I had no idea what to expect out of a record like this and I am proud to say that the crushing atmosphere is delivered with grace. I can’t say I will return to this all that much, but the invitation is always there.