Band: Periphery
Release: Periphery II: This Time It’s Personal (Album)
Release Date: Out Now
Sometimes sequels suck. Sometimes though, they take everything that came before and take it to the next level, add in new ideas and then make it so shiny it just about blinds you. ‘Periphery II’ is very much in the second camp. It’s not a complete departure for the band but it’s a massive step forward for them. It sees them leaving behind much of the ‘scene’ they’ve been credited with kick starting over the past few years.
That’s exactly what’s let Periphery become leaders and not followers; their willingness to progress and evolve beyond their original blue print. It’s probably exactly why they’re going to leave a large part of their initial fan base behind with this evolution. Given that said fan base is likely to expand ten fold, I can’t imagine they’ll lose much sleep over this.
This a much more song and live focused effort than the band’s debut release. It’s also a lot more cohesive despite the variety of material to be found on the record. Somehow the band have made themselves all the more accessible, without sacrificing any of their trademark technicality. In fact, some of the instrumental acrobatics, particularly the drumming, are as technically demanding and exhilarating as anything from the band’s first album. The record also flows much better, the electronic influences of the band creating song fusing interludes that are just as exciting as the metallic material on offer. It’s the little things like that that only begin to hint at the potentially exciting future for Periphery.
Crucially for many a Periphery fan however is that there is less of the ‘djent’ style riffs than before. Not that Periphery ever entirely relied on them anyway, but this time the album is noticeably more expansive and melodic when it comes to the guitar work with less emphasis on the percussive nature of those riffs. It’s given many of the songs a more dynamic range.
Vocally, the album has also taken an obvious turn. For the first time vocalist Spencer Sotelo has been involved in the writing process since the start and it shows as many of the songs are vocally driven and his range is both melodically and aggressive as well as incredibly impressive. The mix of guttural roars and soaring melodies is one of the most engaging vocal performances on any modern metal record. The arrangements are as inspiring as the performances themselves. Though the band have suffered many naysayers for their recruiting of this particular vocalist, they’re all likely to be silenced by this release. Or at the very least, drowned out by the fantastic vocal work.
9/10
Reviewer: Calum McMillan
