“Always a burden weighing on my fragile self.”
Returning with their sophomore album, cybergrind pioneers Blind Equation are back with their latest release, Death Awaits, an album that truly exemplifies the pinnacle of cybergrind.
This album wastes no time introducing the listener to their unique sound with the title track. It bombards the senses with nostalgic 8-bit synths, blistering drumwork, and piercing vocals. It effectively showcases their brilliance from the outset, immersing the listener in the world of Death Awaits whether willingly or not.
This energy is maintained through the second track, “Speedrunning Life“, where the synths take a back seat, allowing the band’s vocals to shine. There’s a particular moment in this track that stands out— a brief pause for breath before a short burst of breakcore beats, reignited by ferocious growls. However, the lyrical content here is somewhat immature, notably the line, “Listen to Bladee to mask the pain I’ve put aside“, resembling something from an emerging emo rapper. This contrasts with the overall maturity of the release, potentially undermining the album’s theme.
The third track, “You Betrayed the Ones You Loved“, may be one of the album’s highlights. It’s easy to understand why it was chosen as a single; it’s simply brilliant. Featuring nostalgic 8-bit tones, piercing screams, and dance-worthy drumwork, this track encapsulates the essence of the genre. Regardless of whether you’re a cybergrind fan or not, this track offers sheer brilliance while remaining surprisingly accessible – a rare achievement in niche sub-genres, especially one as extreme as this.
Subsequent tracks, “Fade Away“, “Choke“, and “Never Getting Better” reintroduce us to cybergrind while infusing new elements to keep them fresh. “Choke” has the breakcore influences, maintaining its danceable nature while staying true to the cybergrind spirit. The outro of this track introduces a Euro-dance beat, seamlessly transitioning into the following track, “Never Getting Better” which then morphs into a high-energy number with influences from SoundCloud rap. However, lyrics once again hamper the overall quality, as the line “wear a vintage hoodie just to feel something” does the band no favors.
The third single, “Killing Me (ft. Rat Jesu)” is a pure cybergrind track, reminiscent of their peers like ZOMBIESHARK!. While solid, it may be one of the weaker points on the album, not significantly adding to what’s already been presented. However, it’s likely to resonate with long-time fans and could be a hit during live performances.
“Suffering in Silence” continues the record and takes on an emo-infused approach, both instrumentally and vocally. The clean vocals evoke early 2000s emo, meshing well with a featured artist whose sound aligns more with modern hardcore music. This track undergoes multiple genre transitions seamlessly, avoiding excessive chaos. It breathes new life into the album, preventing it from growing stale.
As we approach the album’s conclusion, “Warmth” and “The Last Glimpse of Me” round off the experience spectacularly. The former begins with a relaxed instrumental intro, offering a brief respite before escalating into some of the album’s most intense vocals. The closing track, “The Last Glimpse of Me” demonstrates the band’s versatility, delivering a slower, more emotive piece. Its long, progressive introduction feels reminiscent of closing credits, a sentiment echoed in the outro, effectively bringing the album to a close.
In summary, Blind Equation appears to be at the forefront of the cybergrind genre, with the potential to expand its appeal beyond those traditionally alienated by its extreme sounds. This release is a testament to their skills, establishing them as a formidable presence in the genre. Whilst there were a few lyrical moments I couldn’t get behind, your mileage may vary, and this is small fry in the grand scheme of the record. The groundwork is laid for their future success, and they are no doubt ones to watch.
8/10
Death Awaits releases through Prosthetic Records on September 15th, and you can pre-order it here.