Year: 2019
Total Τime: 63:59
Label: 3DOT Recordings
PERIPHERY is a band from the United States of America, and more specifically, Washington DC. They were formed in 2005 and since then, they have released five albums (including this one). They are a prog band, and more specifically a Djent one, but do not think that you will need a metronome to listen to their music. Not at all, actually. At the same time, they are kind of a pop band, since many elements have been borrowed from the idiom. Scary combination, yes. Hail Stan combines those two elements (and some others as well) to a terribly satisfactory degree.
The opening track, being a sixteen minutes long (!!!) song, entitled “Reptile”, contains infinite alternations, rhythms and riffs. A bold venture, but one that is absolutely successful. This song, like the rest, is structured almost to perfection. Every note has a reason to exist, it is not accidental there. Now, I’m sure you are thinking whether they are too complex and blabbering. The answer is definitely not. As for their prog elements, these are mainly of the Djent sub-genre. Complex riffs and melodies, difficult and abrupt alternations, elaborate and clever orchestrations. Of course, the listener can also hear some more traditional prog elements quite a bit on the record. As for the pop elements, they are beautiful but not simple melodies (for example “It’s only smiles”). Do not expect to hear LINKIN PARK-like elements though. PERIPHERY borrows some pop elements and cleverly incorporates them into their genre. The album is so complex that the listener can hear some more cinematic elements (“Crush”). But also, extreme, aggressive prog Djent / math with extreme vocals (eg “CHVRCH BVRNER”). As you can see, if one thing is certain, this is that you will not be bored while listening to this album. Nevertheless, everything ties in and blends nicely.
The vocals of Spencer Sotelo have been improved and we would say that he sits comfortably in his best performance, both in the extreme but also in the clear vocals as well. The production is impeccable and every instrument is a real metronome. The creativity of PERIPHERY is at the peak in this endeavor. Of course, when we talk about the idiom of Djent, many songs sound quite mechanical and without showing any or little emotion in their music. PERIPHERY however, borrowing elements from Pop music, manage to change this and keep moving the idiom forward.
PERIPHERY are trying to move metal forward. Without it being their best creation, it is definitely worth a hearing, both by the prog lovers and the “not-so” prog lovers. It is definitely in the top 3 releases of the year for the extreme Djent / Prog sound. Be sure to at least check out “Reptiles”.
Rating: 8/10
Editor: George Kourou
Related Link: PERIPHERY- Official Website
