Science-fiction-themed Death Metal has a history stretching back to the ’90s. Bands like Nocturnus, Pestilence, and Atheist explored progressive structures and futuristic concepts that laid the foundation for such style.
Canadian trio Dissimulator sits comfortably within this tradition while delivering a vicious dose of sci-fi Death/Thrash on their second full-length, ‘Artifice Dissolves’. Drawing from the technical aggression of Voivod, Vektor, Obliveon, and Sadus, the album presents us with a mechanized assault that feels both calculated and unpredictable.
It hits the listener with twisting, turbulent riffage that collides with blistering basslines. This intensity is further amplified by razor-sharp blast beats that adds another layer of frantic energy to the compositions. The songs constantly speed up, break apart, and snap back together without ever losing their grip. Together, these elements paint a futuristic and dystopian picture of a world consumed by chaos and technological decay.
The band navigates sudden shifts in velocity and intricate instrumental interplay with unnerving precision. Fans of Coroner should find plenty to appreciate here, especially in the riff work and the Thrashy, technical edge running through the record. Their drummer, Philippe Boucher, is also a member of Beyond Creation and was previously part of 1349. All three members, including the guitarist and vocalist Claude Leduc, and the bassist Antoine Daigneault, are also involved in Chthe’ilist and are associated with numerous underground acts, which makes Dissimulator a band of seasoned musicians.
With such an experienced line-up, the bar is already set high, and the band certainly lives up to those expectations. Recommended for those who are into the style!
