Forming back in 2014 within the desolate wastelands of the Canadian planes, a force was beginning to take shape. Under the barren fields and empty streets lay a vibrant scene of underground punk and metal. Chaotic, loud and aggressive, this scene would give birth to PROTOSEQUENCE and within the guts of this world forge their sound of technical deathcore. which later evolved and mutated into the disgusting heavy hitting technical death metal you hear today. From just a solid group of friends within a smaller city and a passion for that heavy hitting technical sound that comes from a djent death, these guys were determined. Not willing to let anything stop them from making the music that they enjoyed and getting their name out while still having fun, these guys definitely carved a name for themselves. Starting out independently and releasing a few singles and a couple EP’s before gaining the attention of Lacerated Enemy Records out of Czechia.

Debuting their first full length album “Bestiary” under their new label which was released on April 5th 2024. and showcases their evolution into a more technical death sound while still keeping elements of their original roots in deathcore. With seven solid tracks this album hits you hard with a strong tidal wave that floods your senses with aggressive and fast paced heavy sound that lasts for 32:54 minutes. This album art is fascinating to me for its creative and simplistic bold design. It immediately catches your eye and piques your curiosity. Beige background that holds three differently colored framed rectangles. Within the swirling and cloud-like painted colors are subtle detailed inner white borders and a few little tribalistic line work. A clean font is chosen for both the name of the album as well for their band which is  displayed in the upper and lower corners opposite to one another. A simple design that is intriguing.

A soft and pleasant melody fades in with a slight reverb giving the effect of the melodic chords that play out in a larger hall, gently increasing in volume. Like a cascade, the sound soothes the mind leaving you unprepared for the heavy onslaught which hits hard. “Sam” progresses quickly with solid technical chord progression, volatile vocals with dynamic ranges and intricate blasts of drumming. Like sporadic and well timed bursts, this song is disgusting in all the right ways. “Sam”  even has a well placed melodic groove influenced breakdown before picking up again. There is quite a bit to cover here with this album as it is a well crafted masterpiece. There are elements, if I am correct, of chromaticism that seep in. Then we have the progressive technical death metal that is infected with elements of deathcore with hints of melodic grove. These guys like to push the boundaries and refuse to limit themselves.

“Imlerith” starts off with a progressive melodic guitar and soft drums before inhuman low growls kick in. The intricate time switches and solid technical chords play out over shotgun blasted bass kicks that blend the high tuned racing guitar riffs. The dynamics of the vocals blend in flawlessly as well with a mix between mid ranged frys and false chords. Without anytime to process you are hit hard with the low visceral false chords that seem to set the initial pace. Thick and heavy with well placed flawless time switching and heavy blast beats. “Twelve Ropes” wastes no time as the chugging riffs pick up into a raced onslaught of death that pulverizes you non stop and builds with intensity. This Track, like all the others, is amazing and well crafted. These caustic inhuman vocals that coat everything in a putrid stench of death that just solidifies the overall aggressive thickness.

Overall, PROTOSEQUENCE is a very dynamic band that is always striving to push the limits without  any form of restriction. With so many layers that synergise flawlessly, these guys know what they are doing and are not afraid to showcase it. With so many variations of influences to draw from, that I may add, can be heard throughout their careers and within their latest album “Bestiary”, it's no wonder these guys have that diverse sound. As a strong progressive technical death metal group that has the varying elements of deathcore. I would have to recommend this album be added into your collection. I am also very intrigued as to what will be next for these guys as they continue to evolve and push the boundaries of the structure that is death metal. These Guys are definitely avant garde tech death