Equivocator – Equivocator (EP)
Release Date: 22nd September 2023
Label: Nefarious Industries
Bandcamp
Genre: Progressive Metal, “Angular” Metal, Hardcore.
FFO: Voivod (recent), An Abstract Illusion, The Postman Syndrome.
Review By: Andy Spoon
The first thing that I noticed about the band was that they self-described the music as “angular”, something that made me intrigued. I think that anyone who wants the listener to enjoy a different paradigm is worthy of a brief listen, just to see what the hubbub might be about, if any. I think that we’re looking at a band that really wants to blend their proggy-hardcore with a “Deathier” sound, particularly from the vocals.
If you’re a fan of proggy melo-death, this is a band that might reach out to part of your sensibilities, just as much as if you might be a traditional fan of the early technical death projects, or even the early death projects. There’s a lot to unpack, which is, frankly, pretty great for an EP-length album. I can say that, at least right off the bat, I wasn’t sure if the term “angular” ever came to mind. However, if you allow them to explain it, which they do have available, you might see into the purpose of the term, poetic as the description is.
One of the bands to whom I liken Equivocator is An Abstract Illusion, whose songs tend to be long and have several movements, sequences, and non-repeating segments. While that is just a shitty definition of “prog”, we have to remember that we’re not just listening to a prog metal band, here. At least, I want to believe that. Could they be a heavier version of bands like Haken? I don’t really think so, as there is more of the hardcore background involved. The vocals tend to be from the early-death school of technique on the harsh side, and fairly smooth on the clean side, when it applies.
I think that Equivocator really blends early death metal and grindcore with some melodic elements that could come straight out of the most recent Voivod release. However, that’s just my opinion on the way it’s put together. I don’t find the presence of my groove sections, not a surprise for what Equivocator purports to be. However, there is enough of the thoughtful sections of “headbanging” segments to get the listener hyped-up. However, I think that it would take several listens to get into the song deep enough to feel them coming and going, something that tends to the OSDM and proggy roots.
However, there were some moments that were stank-face-inducing, such as the breakdown at the end of “Axiomatic”, the second track. I definitely spun that last 2 minutes several times. The first two tracks of the 3-track EP are definitely more aggressive from the front-end, while the third track, “A Known Vulnerability” is more pensive from the get-go, ultimately getting into a hardcore, Voivod-esque clean vocal speed treat. I also think about bands like Mastodon and Mutoid Man when I listen to A Known Vulnerability.
Altogether, Equivocator was a kick-ass EP. It kept me intrigued, never once thinking about skipping a track, or wishing a song was over. I think that if I were to get an LP of this with 8 tracks, I’d be really impressed with it. The production value is great. There is enough variation to get both sides of my brain working. The “mathy” side of things don’t get too abrasive on my sense of timing and fun, as do some bands that use the influence. Perhaps, “Angular” is the best way to define the sound, as it doesn’t seem to want to be prog, hardcore, or death metal.
When searching for a word fails, make one up.
(4.5 / 5)
