Gorguts - Colored Sands Review

By E Thomas / August 27, 2013

rating: 4

Arguably the second most anticipated reunion/comeback this year, if not the last few years behind Carcass's Surgical Steel, Gorguts' first album in 12 years is an equally unmitigated success as Surgical Steel, if lying within much a different realm. While Carcass, after 3 revered goregrind albums and a certifiable classic in 1991s Necroticism, possibly delivered melodic death metal's first album in `1993 Heartwork, and shifted styles much to the chagrin of the bands gore drenched fan base, Gorguts were essentially a Death clone for their first two releases in 1991s Considered Dead and 1993s Erosion of Sanity. However, Gorguts truly changed the game in 1998 with Obscura, and album that even today, sounds ahead of its time. And while 2001s From Wisdom to Hate reigned things in a bit, the bar was set for what death metal could be and essentially every technical death metal album from then on has been striving to match it ever since. However, none have succeeded, tough a few have come close (i.e Gigan). Gorguts founder/guitarist/vocalist Luc Lemay flirted with Negativa in a post Gorguts outlet, but eventually reformed Gorguts, albeit with a all new line up other than himself. Joining him on guitars are Colin Marston of Behold the Arctopus and Krallice fame (as well as numerous producing credits), drummer extraordinaire Jon Longstreth (Origin, Dim Mak, Skinless, Angelcorpse) and bassist Kevin Hufnagal (Dysrhythmia). An eclectic gathering no doubt, but Lemay has guided this superstar lineup to deliver his visage of Gorguts 15 years after Obscura and make it relevant in 2013s crowded death metal hierarchy. Admittedly, some of Colored Sands' thunder and Gorguts return is slightly muted by the fact bands like ,Zealotry, Vasaeleth, Ulcerate (who themselves are releasing and album later this fall) and others have essentially been plying this same type of cavernous, murky atonal death metal for a while now, but considering who is releasing this and how long the wait was, Colored Sands is a triumphant return for one of death metal's most illustrious acts.

Even after a extended hiatus, Colored Sands sees Gorguts fit nicely into a modern death metal realms. The effort is technical, yet claustrophobic and dense. The complexity isn't rendered as Obscura with choppy, over the top, glass shattering time changes and such, but rather a nervous, dread filled, cavernous cacophony that's oppressive, yet deeply intricate within layers of twisting, muddy discordance. Ultimately, unlike Carcass's reunion, it's not immediately recognizable as Gorguts, due to the proliferation if this style, but what is does is deliver the style with over 20 years of experience from Lemay on top of it, as well as an all star cast. And the result is stunning. Longstreth is surprisingly restrained, though blasting amply when called upon, he backs the many moments of sheer, crawling density, displaying patience he's not normally known for in percussive circles. From the opening churning salvo of "Le Toit du Monde", Colored Sands sits on your chest causing acute Dyspnea. Thick, labyrinthine riffs and scatter shot percussion, are littered with moments of unease and atmospheric dread. Blast beats cavort with unpredictable, suffocating slower moments of sonic quicksand, that drag and suck you into the depths. A prime example is the monstrous title track which builds with nervous acoustics, rumbles with patient, authoritative heft then peaks with domineering percussive exclamation, shaking your being. Even though that track being a mere microcosm of the entire album, you get some idea of the over arching commanding presence this album carries with it. You don't listen to Colored Sands, you experience it , you feel it seep into your pores and your subconscious. You are not going to recall or be humming riffs from Colored Sands, but you will a mentally changed person as every deeply resonating note contained within the likes of "Forgotten Arrows", destructive "Enemies of Compassion", "Ember's Voice" and "Absconders" - all knee wilting exercises in layered atonality yet refined, suffocating soundscapes. Closer and album's second standout "Reduced to Silence" is near perfection as the cataclysmic, blasts reaches terminal velocity and throws in some mind melting discordant strains over the sheer chaos and spine twisting ambiance. The only question on the album is the orchestral interlude "The Battle of Chamdo" where Lemay delivers a movie score like instrumental number, that while dramatic, some will think it breaks up the album's oppressive mood, personally I'm thankful for the breather. And it does nothing to reduce how good Colored Sands is and that Gorguts legacy has been even further cemented with one of the most striking death metal albums of the year or even the last few years. Your move Ulcerate.