Album Review - Born of Osiris : The Discovery (2011)

The heavy-metal market is bursting at the seams with scores of metalcore bands that have a knack for sounding remarkably similar to each other, their music taking on numerous elements of that of their peers and most of them being thrust into an enormous melting pot of uninteresting one trick ponies who can’t separate themselves from the masses simply because they don’t have the musical capacity or the want to do so. However, 2011 is the year for something to change, right? To be a band that’s far from routine, a sound must be built from the ashes that has only a handful of relevant comparisons. Something must be created that is unmistakably recognisable as belonging to a certain band once it is heard, and difficult as that may seem, there are a thousand ways to do that.

US six-piece Born of Osiris have taken more than one of these methods and put them into brutal practise, their latest (and third) offering ‘The Discovery’ (released on Sumerian Records) being a memorable album full of guitar sophistication,  powerhouse vocals, nightmare inducing noise and dazzling yet bizarre keyboard playing. The songs thunder along at a terrifying pace, but it’s difficult to get lost despite the magnitude of vigour that attacks you from all angles. Each track is well-crafted and fascinating, sometimes leaving me with an open mouth as I attempt to fathom the complexity of the song structures as well as the deviant scales. The shredding is beyond explanation at times (as it is with a band Born of Osiris recently toured Europe with, fellow tech-metal masters Protest the Hero) and will have guitar mastery enthusiasts whooping with delight. 

Produced by acclaimed producer Jason Suecof (who has previously worked with All That Remains and Trivium), the album is definitely a shot in the arm for the heavy-metal scene, delivering a sucker punch to the tattooed throats of bands who hold a torch to the hardcore music genre. It’s heavier than anything I’ve heard from this band before and guitarist Lee McKinney gives an insight into why that might be with this quote on the band’s musical direction.

 “I should start by saying this new album is heavier than anything the band ever released. We have moved onto seven strings and it couldn't have complimented our sound any better. We brought back the 'BOO-bounce' on this one. It's definitely a really fun and upbeat album. Also, the addition of our new guitar player Jason Richardson has increased the amount of shred on this album. There are some really incredible guitar solos on this album from the both of us. It takes the band to a whole new level of musicality. This album contains an awesome mix of our most heavy, most technical, most atmospheric and most beautiful melodies ever.”

The album opens with a roar into ‘Follow the Signs’ and some science-fiction/horror movie soundtrack keys creep in amongst the progressive timings of the thunderous drums, but it’s the guitars that take control (as it is with much of the first half of this album). There’s chugging aplenty which is the perfect backdrop for some sweeping dual guitars, the macabre melodies they create sending a chill up the spine. 

Next up is ‘Singularity’ with the keys again being something I remember the most, reminiscent of 8-bit video-game soundtracks from the 1980s. Of course, it’s just a quirk amongst the intensity, but a welcome one none the less. The grand scale of the songs gets pushed up a notch with ‘Ascension’ and ‘Devastate’ (the screams of ‘system failure!’ urging me to launch into full on headbang) before exploding into absolute power with ‘Recreate’, which I would say is my favourite song on ‘The Discovery’. The guitar playing is incredible on this track and creates melodies that echo heroism, hardship and hedonism, simply because it feels like these guys must be showing off. It never feels egotistical, however, and gives off a great sense of satisfaction for the listener, and I felt in awe of the technique on display.

‘Two Worlds of Design’ flows like a tidal wave and ends with creepy synth layering, before melting down into an electric-orchestral piece entitled ‘A Solution’ which includes clean vocals for the first and only time on the record (which is something that I would have been glad to hear a little more of). It’s just an interlude amongst the ferocity but I’m slightly disappointed with the next few tracks as we reach the middle of the album, as they can be somewhat generic by sticking to standard deathcore formulas and rarely straying. They’re not as competent in comparison to the songs that bookend them, but strong regardless. 

Another interlude hits with ‘The Omniscient’, which is a beautiful piece with some low vocal harmonies providing a soothing backdrop for a majestic guitar lick. The stuttering guitars of ‘Last Straw’ threaten to stray back into the generic streak but are rectified after a minute or so. The layered screaming and pummelling breakdowns feel fresh and with yet more peculiar keyboards the song feels like a twisted fairground ride inside the mind of a psychopath. There’s one more vicious attack with ‘Regenerate’ before instrumental piece ‘XIV’ resumes the eccentric doom which gives this album its cutting edge. The acoustic riffs fade into electric guitar shreds and scales, building up imaginatively into the haunting beginning of final track ‘Behold’ where the guitars fly into a rage, solos rounding each corner and drums bellowing like otherworldly beasts. The final notes allow you to catch your breath as you come to terms with the technicality that you’ve witnessed, but realise that your senses have not been worn out. 

Born of Osiris have created an original album that has very few flaws and stands out from a stagnant crowd amongst the modern spew of metalcore bands. I’d love to see what the band perform like live, as what they have created can sometimes appear too complex to be able to sharpen for a live audience. I’m confident in their abilities and would be interested in catching them on their return to the UK (which will be in May of this year). Overall, ‘The Discovery’ is an album that I am sure would benefit from repeated listens, and as I am already of the persuasion that this could be one of the best heavy-metal albums of the year, I can’t wait to delve back into it.