Right from the first listen of Awakening Inception — the impressive debut album from Cambridge, ON's Æpoch — it's clear that this band have a lot to offer. The release follows their 2015 EP, Æpochalypse, and showcases their penchant for progressive technicality and brutal heaviness while also highlighting a fondness for sweeping melodies and thoughtful composition.
"Time : Perspective / Ouroboros Reborn" starts the record off with a barrage of speedy old-school death metal-style riffs and pummelling drums, which sets the bar quite high for unrelenting forcefulness. "Delirium of Negation" continues with the same kind of ferocious vibe, yet the intricacy of the Chuck Schuldiner-inspired guitar leads, as well as the fretless bass work provide a new view of Æpoch's skill.
The band's musicianship is on point throughout Awakening Inception, and especially on tracks like "Tabula Rasa" and the title track, which feature unique structures and tripped-out, prog-y tones. While much of the album puts a focus on Æpoch's songwriting prowess, tracks like "Burn Them at the Stakes" and "Serenity of Non-Existence" also feature moments of straight-forward clobbering aggression to balance things out.
(Independent)"Time : Perspective / Ouroboros Reborn" starts the record off with a barrage of speedy old-school death metal-style riffs and pummelling drums, which sets the bar quite high for unrelenting forcefulness. "Delirium of Negation" continues with the same kind of ferocious vibe, yet the intricacy of the Chuck Schuldiner-inspired guitar leads, as well as the fretless bass work provide a new view of Æpoch's skill.
The band's musicianship is on point throughout Awakening Inception, and especially on tracks like "Tabula Rasa" and the title track, which feature unique structures and tripped-out, prog-y tones. While much of the album puts a focus on Æpoch's songwriting prowess, tracks like "Burn Them at the Stakes" and "Serenity of Non-Existence" also feature moments of straight-forward clobbering aggression to balance things out.