Heavy metal band DELPHIAN was formed by brothers Jason and Matthew Williams while attending Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, CA. The debut album, "Somnambulant Foregoer," will see a November 2021 release and features the pummeling talents of Kevin Talley on drums and bass wizardry of Martin Rygiel with Jason Williams and Matthew Williams completing the lineup on guitars and vocals respective. The album "is a relentless, nine-track, 47-minute attack with themes rooted in darkness, focusing on the evils of reality, blending musical elements of Technical Death, Groove and Progressive Metal." The album contains nine tracks.

"A Suicide Speech to Persuade" leads off the album. It begins with a very heavy and technical riff and Death Metal vocals. Kevin Talley is indeed a beast on the kit, showcasing various styles of his repertoire, and the band packs tightly into the short song. "Devout Magisterial Form" is nearly twice as long, with a similar sound. It breaks open just after the half-way mark, with deadly accuracy across a few different time meters. The vocals are relentless, as is the percussion. "Drip Me Towards the Ground" opens with a similar sound. The album is quite technical so far but lacks in diversity. The sound is absolutely punishing and does not let up.

"Speaking with the Shadows" is a shorter song with no less intensity. I have to give it to the duo for hiring two seasoned members on bass and drums, because they bring a lot to the table. "How I Long for the Oort Cloud" is another longer song with a similar sound. Bruising and overly mechanic in nature, they aren't winning any points for originality, nor do they care to in my opinion. The title track begins with more punishing sounds and meter shifting that would make any Progressive Metal fan blush. But settling into a groove, it falls right back to the previous sound. "Meanwhile, More Polemics with Kurt Gurkillis and Scud Moothers" speaks of murder, pain, and darkness. "Idolatry" begins with moving lead guitar parts over a bed of horrid vocals and brutal guitar and drums.

"Dimensions Disassociated" closes the album, with a slow, cruel groove to open, leading to more chaos. Overall, I hear mostly Thrash and Death Metal here, upgraded from the 1980's with fantastic musicianship. However, the genre boundaries are fairly unforgiving and so if you are not in line with them, fans will be pissed. But if you are in line with them, it can make for a fairly bland listening experience. Take some chances, and make your own path. I understand the need for brutality but nine tracks of nearly the same songs can get old quickly.