One of the most eagerly awaited releases this year has to be of the US tech death band Eschaton who’ve revitalized their lineup which now includes current/former members of bands like Obscura, Necrophagist, Inanimate Existence, Apogaen, Abyssalis, Deeds of Flesh, Arsis, etc. What you should know is that it actually sounds really fucking good. The illustrious members have done complete justice to the music and it shows. Listen to two of their songs HERE and watch their professionally shot official video AT THIS LINK.
Technical death metal band Eschaton return after a gap of six years with a reinvigorated, star-studded line-up that undoubtedly elevates their sound to hitherto unexplored heights. They have none other than Christian Münzner formerly of Obscura and Necrophagist accompanying the band founder Josh Berry on guitars. For the vocals, they have enlisted the services of Mac Smith of Apogean and Abyssalis and for the bass, they have brought on Scott Bradly from Inanimate Existence while Darren Cesca of Pillory and formerly in Deeds of Flesh and Arsis continues to hold down the fort on drums. Most importantly, this line-up sounds just as devastating on this album as it does on paper. They have contributed to creating a tech death album that can stand on its own and does not have to be necessarily pitted against any of the aforementioned bands’ past efforts. The members excel in their own specialized ways and they manage to make it work. It is meticulously and passionately put together which is all too apparent in the music that can be dizzyingly fast and mind-bogglingly technical but also groovy and memorable while being on the whole diverse yet dynamic and pulsating with energy. It is not just music meant for the tech death fans; it is music that will invariably get them excited. As such, this should be regarded as an landmark album in the style, with the presence of the illustrious members in the lineup not taking away from the irrefutable fact that this is indeed great tech death music.
Line up –
Mac Smith – Vocals (Apogean, Abyssalis, Hammer of Dawn)
Christian Muenzner – Lead Guitar (Retromorphosis, Eternity’s End, ex-Necrophagist, ex-Obscura, ex-Alkaloid)
Josh Berry – Guitar (Eschaton founder)
Darren Cesca – Drums (Goratory, Serpents of Gnosis, Pillory, Ex-Deeds of Flesh, Ex-Arsis)
Scott Bradley – Bass (Inanimate Existence)
Artwork by Dave Melvin
Track listing –
1. Inferior Superior
2. Devour the Contrarian
3. Blood of the People
4. Hellfire’s Woe
5. The Bellicose Duality
6. Econocracy
7. Antimatter
8. Techtalitarian
9. The Sufferer’s Dichotomy
10. Castle Strnad
Release date – May 30th, 2025