Album Assessment: PERIPHERY Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Style

Periphery occupies an enchanting place within the metallic panorama in 2023. Forming within the mid-2000s and coming to prominence in the beginning of the next decade, the band’s music and legacy incorporates a number of dualities.

Misha Mansoor and his celebrated colleagues have a status for technical ability and mind-bending complexity, and but the band nonetheless has a powerful pop-sensibility targeted on hooks and memorability. The band definitely take their music critically, and but mission winks and nods by means of ironic and satirical tune and album titles (I think about this album’s title is an homage to Kurt Cobain‘s shirt that stated “grunge is dead”). I imply, look no additional than the title of this album. And therein lies one other duality. They deny the existence of “djent” as a discernible model of metallic, and but it was the hype round this scene within the early-2010s that helped make their title and success.

And with regards to that period of metallic, Periphery has all the time been the colourful shining star within the constellation of tedious djent acts and predictable “Sumerian-core” bands that when made the rounds on the Summer time Slaughter tour. To make sure, these bands all had their virtues, however there is a motive Periphery has endured. A part of it’s their integrity to stubbornly go their very own method, together with their well-publicized refusal to easily play straightforward crowd favorites repeatedly on tour. And on a fundamental stage, they had been by no means simply one other band who took Mushuggah’s guitar tone and made actually boring music with it.

For this reviewer, Periphery II will all the time be the God-tier Periphery album, the others merely including a number of bangers to a playlist centered on that launch. That stated, 2019’s Periphery IV: Hail Stan was actually… actually good. As I’ve indicated about different well-established bands, Periphery‘s central mission at this level of their profession is to be the very best model of themselves. On that foundation, we are able to name Periphery V an imperfect success.

The album kicks off with “Wildfire” and “Atropos,” two hefty slabs of metallic that comprise all of the acquainted hallmarks of Periphery‘s sound. The songs are infectious sufficient to maintain your consideration however might need been higher positioned in the midst of the album, every feeling somewhat lengthy and sophisticated for the start. The album appears to essentially get going with “Wax Wings,” a completely simple sing-song anthem within the spirit of “Scarlet,” “Marigold,” “Alpha” and “Feed the Ground.” Severely, that refrain is top-40-level catchy. In simply world, Z100 would play this jam continuous.

On the alternative finish of the spectrum, the opposite apparent spotlight is “Zagreus.” That is the tune the place the band lets their heavy facet actually crush the listener. I am additionally keen on the lyrics, focused in opposition to self-righteousness, close-mindedness and lazy deferrals to authority:

I feel it’s time to cease pointing fingers and begin trying inward
Measure the instances ‘cause it’s not proper simply to generalize
Begin staring down your life and possibly you’ll see issues a lot clearer
Imploring what’s down in your thoughts to make an look
Kind your situation
Throw it in remission
Throw it apart

One other super-heavy monitor is the ferocious “Everything Is Fine!” Each time I see the band reside once more, I need to hear them play this. I might like to see what the pit is like when the tune hits the 4:06 mark.

The opposite songs are likely to circulate finest as a part of the complete album, particularly the formidable pair of tracks on the finish. “Dracul Gras” and “Thanks Nobuo” will certainly fulfill followers in search of a sprawling, theatrical tackle Periphery‘s sound. The songs mix the band’s standbys with parts of ambient and post-rock that definitely deliver attention-grabbing colours to the compositions.

If you happen to actually need to hear them veer off, take a look at “Silhouette,” the zero-metal complete synth-pop jam on the center of the album. I might usually scoff at this type of factor, however one thing about Spencer Sotelo’s voice simply makes it work. Severely, the man missed his calling making soundtracks for Disney films.

I need not inform you concerning the immense abilities held by each member of the band. Periphery got here out of the gate in 2010 with unimaginable ability and precision, and none of that has modified right here. It is a good Periphery album, although nonetheless not my favourite. However make no mistake: “Wax Wings,” “Everything Is Fine!” and “Zagreus” are happening the playlist.