Stress of Evolution

Despite The Reverence

From their EPK, "This album features songs that range from epic technical arrangements to straight-up […]
Despite The Reverence - Stress of Evolution album cover

From their EPK, "This album features songs that range from epic technical arrangements to straight-up rock songs. The album starts out heavily and intensely. There is a classical acoustic piece in the middle, followed by a heavy metal ballad and a surfer rock style song before the songs rise again to a heavy crescendo. The final song almost stands alone as a heavy metal disco anthem. The lyrics follow the theme of technology being infused into society and directly into humans making us dependent on them and creating less of a need for human interference."

"Cyborg" is the first track, and its aptly titled, because the main riff sounds like something Metal, and the harsh vocals are the same. The clean vocals aren't bad, but the verses need thickening up a bit, and the band needs to work on the simple riffs. "Khali Yuga" begins with clean tones, and a bit of tension in the air. The combination of clean and harsh vocals is just a bit off, and it's hard to describe why. I believe it comes down to timing and delivery. "Primate Centurion" opens with thick bass notes, and thunderclaps in the distance. The build up is nice, but the band falters when the main riff comes along. It's just too elementary. The groove they create is decent, however.

"Fears of our Fathers" is that acoustical song they referenced. Here, the clean vocals are both emotional and expressive. "Stress of Evolution" has a promising beginning from the guitar work. The verses ease in, and the chorus is a crescendo with nice vocal harmonies. It turns darker with a faster riff and some Metal tendencies. The harsh vocals are actually quite good. "Human Obsolete" has a nice opening groove that you will want to headbang along with. This is one of the straight up rockers the band was referencing, and I like the heavy emotional elements in the song. "War Machine" is a heavy metal offering, with harsh vocals and a heavy guitar riff. I hate to keep harping on it, but the riff is just too thin, and too simple. "At My Door Knocks Death" is a slow mover that is more reminiscent of Doom Metal for me. But some of the drawn-out sort of wails just don't really move me much.

"Disco Death Tech" closes the album. I wouldn't call it a disco song per se, but it is at least inventive, and different than the usual. The band isn't short on talent, or diverse offerings on the album...that's the good news. But this resulted in the album sounding disjointed and lacking a central theme. Many of the riffs were just too simple In scope as well, and the band can also benefit from knowing when to turn it up...creating more extremes.

5 / 10

Mediocre

Songwriting

3

Musicianship

7

Memorability

3

Production

8
"Stress of Evolution" Track-listing:

1. Cyborg
2. Khali Yuga
3. Surprise Kill Vanish
4. Primate Centurion
5. Killing Plebs
6. Fears of Our Fathers
7. Stress of Evolution
8. Human Obsolete
9. Thinning the Herd
10. War Machine
11. At My Door Knocks Death
12. Disco Death Tech

Despite The Reverence Lineup:

Jon Fast - Guitars/Backing Vocals
Tom Liska - Vocals
Jordan Poelzer - Bass
Brad Zimmer - Drums

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