Neuraxis, Asylon

Canadians Neuraxis have always seemed to be on the fore-front of melodic technical death metal, yet never really in the lead. The band’s melodies and technical flourishes have always had a bit of a futuristic vibe, but that seemed to disappear a bit in 2008’s The Thin Line Between. I’m not sure if it may have been growing pains with then new vocalist Leblanc, but the album just didn’t sit right with me.

Fast forward to 2011 and it appears as though Neuraxis are back at the top of their game with a renewed sense of urgency and even more technical complexity — the same stuff we saw early on in their career, but amplified a good deal more. Throughout Aslyon, there’s still an element of melody, but the guys seem more intent on showcasing their tech wizardry more so than keeping a melodic groove to their material. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but the complexity comes across a bit forced at times — overly technical just because the band can, not because it fits the song.

“Reptile” kicks things off with a brief bit of ambient noise before slick riffing and chugging drums come in with a measured level of intensity. It’s not until the vocals arrive that the guys ramp up the energy a good deal with frenetic drumming and technical riffage. I had a complaint with Leblanc’s vocals in the last Neuraxis release, but he’s hitting on all cylinders with his delivery here — deep, raspy and aggressive. The additions of a new rhythm section (bassist and drummer) don’t seem to have slowed the band down any at all. Everyone sounds really cohesive and integrated.

While there really wasn’t much of a melodic element in the opening song, “Savior and Destroyer” and “By the Flesh” are a couple of tunes that really inject it back into the band’s sound. After repeat listens, the middle tracks of Aslyon, like a good deal of the technical death metal out there, tend to get a little lost in the fray. They all seem to fade into the background, blending from one to the other. Now, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but when you’re showcasing your musical chops with sick solos and sweeps, you sort of want each track to stand out.

Neuraxis really shine on this latest release when they take those technical riffs and incorporate a melodic element into the mix. That’s where the band separate themselves from the herd. Songs like the aforementioned “Savior and Destroyer” and later tracks “Purity” and “V” are where these guys really capture the listener.

All in all, Aslyon is a welcome return to form for Neuraxis. Sure they tend to focus on complexity a bit too much at times throughout the album, but when all is said and done, the release contains some of their better material and will have fans grinning ear to ear.