Atheist - Jupiter (2010)^{Release ID: 351}

Season of Mist is one of the most diverse metal record labels out there. Their roster can range from the stoner-sludge of Kylesa to the tech-death of Atheist. When fellow Floridian (former) tech-death band Cynic released their progressive metal comeback album Traced in Air via that label, it was probably a sign for some metalheads that another early 90s progressive tech-death band would rise again thanks to that label. That prophecy came true a few months later, then the following year, the album Jupiter was made! While staying true to their classic style, Atheist would bring a new creative direction...

So in the early tech-death scene, Paul Masvidal and Sean Reinert (RIP) were in pioneering force Death before forming Cynic, in which its bassist Tony Choy helped record bass in a couple Atheist and Pestilence albums. Cynic reformed and went progressive metal, Pestilence reformed and continued their tech-death, then Atheist reformed and stayed in a furious mix of those styles. All 8 of this album's tracks are real songs, no interludes, in just over a half-hour. But enough comparison, let's get to the songs!

Atheist's returns to their uncanny speed instantly in "Second to Sun", which can bring to mind the planet Jupiter without being a title track for the album ("all atoms report to the sun", "without all her fire there won’t be anyone"). Kelly Shaefer's vocal range crosses between Testament's Chuck Billy and Devin Townsend in his Strapping Young Lad albums. Guitar swipes through in "Fictitious Glide". Next track "Fraudulent Cloth" can be said for the rest of the album to keep the Atheist flag raised even after a long 17 years without anything new. The banner is still high!

Shaefer breathes out his vocals at its fullest height in "Live and Live Again" after a soft cello intro. The chorus of "Faux King Christ" is a clever and far better way to disguise the F-word than a certain sh*tty Britney Spears single.

"Tortoise the Titan" has some experimental groove, including a speedy chorus that sounds funny when Shaefer tells everyone to "SLOW DOWN!!!!". The strength is helped out by both the music and the lyrics telling a mythical fable. Concluding "When the Beast" is more of the earlier guitar sweeps. Finally, "Third Person" has an interesting lyrical quote "Historically it has been told, harmonically your soul is sold to old, I was the highest bidder, dripping blood on the dark side."

I'm thankful to finally get comfortably seated in a tech-death band ride for the first time since my year long back from that genre, with this band of coherent passion. Atheist is one of very few bands to achieve that balance, and Jupiter continues their slow yet astonishing evolution of progressive tech-death!

Favorites: "Second to Sun", "Fraudulent Cloth", "Live and Live Again", "Tortoise the Titan"