As much as music, as an art, is subjective, I like to try and focus on the actual merits of an album as opposed to what I, personally, like about the album. So its releases like "Oscillations", from veteran Norwegian Death Metallers DISKORD, that make reviews a lot easier. The EP comes two years after the group's previous effort, their second full length "Dystopics".

DISKORD's particular brand of sonic depravity mixes old-school Death Metal with a modern sensibility, something like early GORGUTS or IMMOLATION for a new generation. These comparisons shouldn't be taken to mean that the band doesn't have their own, unique sound, but that you can hear where it comes from in their jarring, discordant riffs and complex arrangements. That "A Downward Spire" might be the least challenging/most straightforward song on the album speaks volumes to the band's creativity and instrumental skill, as the track still bombards the listener with a variety of twisting, technical riffs, along with numerous tempo changes. The vocals on the album are nothing short of deranged underscoring the already stomach-churning quality of the music.

It's hard to pick out standout tracks, as the album is pretty consistent throughout content-wise, as well as the fact that all the songs are really good. "Hermit Dream" starts out with some eerie sound effects before giving way to a sludgy metallic assault, while "Horrid Engine" is awesome as much for the complex, stop-start riffs and aggression as it is simply for the outrageous bass guitar tone (check around the 0:32 mark). The aforementioned songs manage to fit a lot of different ideas in a short timespan (especially "Horrid Engine") without sounding haphazard or over-adventurous. One of the great moments on the album comes on the excellent "Symbiotic Whims", when all instruments save for the drums stop, and Hans Jørgen, issues his most sickening, pained vocals to this point; if anything, the band up the ante on the final track instead of slowing down.

"Oscillations" has a lot of appeal as a straight-up brutal album that should also satisfy fans looking for something with some depth and intricacy to it. All of the instruments are represented well in the album's mix, and the strength of the songwriting is very impressive. Some of the more complicated arrangements may take some patience to get into, but the reward is more than worth it. I recommend this strongly to fans of Death Metal.<