American quartet Exist have been cranking out excellent progressive/technical loss of life metallic for almost 15 years. Relatively than drastically retool their sound, they’ve persistently refined the steadiness of devilish aggression, jazz fusion instrumentation, and soothingly clear passages that first impressed followers on 2010’s In Mirrors EP. Their newest LP – Hijacking the Zeitgeist, which follows 2020’s Egoiista – raises the bar as soon as once more. Bolstered by a considerably new lineup, the file is a sometimes immersive journey whose nuances, symmetry, and economical runtime will make you need to return to it as usually as attainable.
As with all of its predecessors, Hijacking the Zeitgeist is led by guitarist/vocalist Max Phelps (Cynic) and bassist/vocalist Alex Weber (WAIT). Drummer Brody Smith (Satyr) returns as effectively; nonetheless, the LP marks the departure of longtime guitarist Matt Rossa. In his place is Charles Eron (WAIT), who additionally handles synth duties. Concerning the swap, Exist clarified by way of Facebook in October 2023:
“Merely said, Matt felt that his time with us had run it is [sic] course and … it was time for him to maneuver on. Whereas we’ll miss Matt’s skills, comradery and hilarious antics, we respect his choice and … will all the time take into account him household … Charles Eron has performed an enormous position on this new album along with his numerous ear, guitar taking part in and soundscaping skills. Charlie has already had an important musical relationship with two of us for years in his venture WAIT and has been on the scene for the reason that early days of the band, so it feels fairly pure to welcome him to the fold.”
Certainly, Eron does lots to make sure that the group sustains every part that is labored so effectively for over a decade.
As for creating the file, Phelps comments that it was “essentially the most enjoyable [they’ve] had making an album,” including: “Musically, I feel it represents a brand new period for the band with each a heavier sound and way more compact preparations. Possibly it is truthful to say that it is akin to our “Everlasting Waves” or “Shifting Footage” (for the Rush nerd, like us) when it comes to the band’s trajectory from the previous couple of albums.”
Though it isn’t that a lot of a departure from prior releases, Hijacking the Zeitgeist‘s 36-minute runtime undoubtedly helps it develop into Exist‘s most simply digestible but perpetually partaking assortment so far.
Plus, their tried-and-true fusion of invigorating growls and calming singing are on full show all through the sequence. Opener “Blue Mild Infinite” – a music about “the addictive and misleading nature of our obsession with know-how,” Phelps explains – gives a very gripping instance of that back-and-forth brilliance. Elsewhere, “A Path to Nowhere” and “One Diploma Faraway from Human” observe swimsuit with equally fascinating outcomes, whereas “Funeral Toll” considerably overlaps the 2 approaches to mine ethereally attractive riches.
These tracks undoubtedly justify comparisons to acts comparable to Demise, BTBAM, Fallujah, Persefone, and sure, Cynic. So, too, do the difficult and versatile – but by no means overly ostentatious – preparations. Specifically, “Thief of Pleasure” options chic juxtapositions of stampeding riffs and rhythms beneath (or round) transcendental guitar notes and restfully atmospheric detours. Afterward, each the title observe and “Window to the All” faucet into vibrant jazz fusion jauntiness.
Exist have outdone themselves but once more with Hijacking the Zeitgeist. Past introducing Eron as an important alternative for Rossa, it sees the band as an entire upholding their excellence in each means conceivable. Whereas their earlier data by no means felt verbose, the truth that this one is significantly shorter solely serves to make it extra targeted and replayable as effectively. By all means, test it out as quickly as you possibly can!