From their record label’s website, “Echoes” is the title of the exciting post groove metal album by NOUMENIA, featuring heavy drumming, rhythmic virtuosity, ripsaw growl vocals, and a gargantuan guitar sound that literally reinvents the power of the power chord. Often, the songs on this record kick off with bizarre futuristic introductions constructed of suspense and trepidation, like movie soundtracks made for aliens, dangerous AI, and cyborgs gone mad, yet following these mystic “orchestral” and “celestial” preludes, they hit us with drop after drop that rock so hard we are stunned. The pound and burn on this record are massive, the hooks mesmerizing, the changes invigorating, the philosophical lyrics all too close to the heart, the bottom-side where we stockpile secrets and darkness.”

“Blind Idols” is first, and piano and keyboards lead to a heavy riff with crystal clear production. The vocals are harsh, and underneath them the ground is thick, but I don’t care for the at times cadenced delivery. Still, it’s a solid song, and has plenty of backing elements. “Outsiders” features some electronic elements within the riffs and the harsh vocals are brutal. In this sense, it sounds like a combination of Nu Metal & Groove Metal, and the more modern sound is evident. “Fractures” has a slower pace and some Progressive elements, particularly in the guitar riffs. They smartly fill the background with eerie symphonic elements, and once again, the vocals are punishing. “Fall Apart” is really the first song that embraces melody over brutality…at first, and the tender touch is catchy. There are some cleans, and some harsh vocals.

“Outbreak” has a weighted sound of Djenty guitar riffs and pounding drums, and the riffs are towering, massive ones that are cavernous in their reach. There is also a distinctive groove that the song carries with it, but again, I don’t care for the cadenced vocals. “Firewall” has a nice mixture of melody within the madness, but the band relies too much on open E chords to fuel their sound. It’s sort of the safe way out when you aren’t sure where to take the song. “Digital Aftermath” has a slow, weighted grind with harsh vocals that are frigid in their delivery. Each time the vocals annunciate, it’s like they bring a storm of air with them that freezes you to the bone. “Under the Veil” closes the album, and it has a heavy electronic sound that is actually quite hypnotic.

This was a very interesting album, and, as a long-time reviewer of a variety of Metal music, it forced me to question my inherent biases when it comes to music. Although they rely a bit too much on the open E chord as the base of a lot of songs, the haunting electronic elements are a nice addition, and their musicianship is fantastic. There are modern elements to their sound (not Nu Metal per se), as well as Progressive elements, and they do a nice job of intermixing genres together in a final product that is blended well.