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As I was saying, Bilocate have continued to expand and develop their sound since their last album. The music is still doom, death, and dark metal oriented, but with more cohesion and grace, while still being very dynamic. There are many changes throughout their songs -- different tempos, different feelings, different approaches, and different musical styles – that keeps their music live and vibrant. Picture a progressive version of the following bands combined, Daylight Dies, Katatonia, Opeth, Novembers Doom, Melechesh, Edge of Sanity and Cynic, and you may get somewhere close.
Obviously the doomy parts are slower paced with a gloomy sensation around them, and the death laden parts have a gripping feel, but the layered technique complements the instruments well. Bilocate have some really superb parts to their arrangements, very pleasing to the melodic metal or doom metal ear. You get a mystical aura from the keys that set the tone well. Also sounds of the band’s native music has been worked into the composition at times, including an Arabic Oud, percussion, and keyboards. The doom and gloom guitar riffs keep this music dark, as well as the death metal growls. Even some reputable solos are worth a mention.
“Sudden Death Syndrome” makes you feel a range of emotion as you listen, which is a great sign that a band is doing the right thing. The tempo changes are quite welcome, especially when many bands today seem to be to stiff to make their sound this diverse...only thing is that being this diverse could be detrimental to the songs’ flow. That’s about the only complaint from me.
On this album, Bilocate have the knack for keeping the listener ingrained in the music, like in a trance. All of the songs on this seven track, fifty-two minutes plus CD seem to end before you know it. That includes a track that is seventeen minutes long, and another over nine and half minutes. Beside the mystical Middle Eastern instrumental intro, there are no short tunes on this album. So you don’t feel like you’ve been ripped-off by cheap 2 minute songs. I will be sure to inform all of my friends, foes and colleagues alike about Bilocate. It’s about time for a label to step in and sign these guys!
Rating: 83
Reviewed By: Jeffrey D. Adkins