Epicurean is not your typical death metal-core band and their debut release on Metal Blade Records A Consequence of Design is proof. This six piece from Minnesota mixes the best elements of death-core and symphonic metal with a touch of prog to make a sound which is all of their own. Though they’ve only been around for approx. 4 years, these guys sound like they have been doing it for awhile. A Consequence of Design was originally released in 2006, but after they were signed to Metal Blade, the band chose to re-mix and re-master as well as add a couple new tunes to the CD for it’s major label debut. A Consequence of Design is a concept album centered around a character named Gabriel and the band has left it up to it’s audience to figure out the mystery behind their character.

From the first note of A Consequence of Design to the last, this CD rocks. As I stated previously, Epicurean is not your typical death metal core band. The songs are all complemented by a strong keyboard presence thanks to keyboardist Jared Schneider. Schneider’s keys give the band a sound which is reminiscent of Dimmu Borgir or even Children of Bodom, mixed with the metal core sound of like Destroy the Runner or Still Remains. Imagine if Soilwork went metal-core and you would be pretty close. Vocalist John Laramy has a killer voice, dueling himself in metal growls and clean vocals. And last but not least in the killer axework of John Major and Jarod Mills. These guys are monsters and will contend to be the next big guitar duo.

Maybe the strongest thing about this release is the killer musicianship. Every guy is a master of his art and along with killer songwriting, you have a stellar release. The songs all have killer riffs and lots of melody and the addition of the keybords really send them over the top. This is a killer debut from a band that is going places. Go get it!

Bottom Line: This band and this CD has it all: Melody, killer axework and great vocals. Need I say more? Except that this is my CD of the Month, baby!

Standout Tracks: Dividing the Distance, The Author and the Architect, Behind the Chapel Walls and Lithograph

- Ragman loves the future outlook for metal

This entry was posted on Saturday, May 31st, 2008 at 8:38 pm and is filed under CD Reviews, CD Of The Month. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.