“You are the Solipsist, I am nothing but an extension of you.” Works of grandeur beget grand imagery, yet some examples are a bit more enchanting and vicarious than others of their ilk, and as
HENRY ROLLINS once penned, some are a stark and cold reminder of our interdependencies.
MEDICATED, having now just released their debut, “
Descension,” followed a similar philosophical line of reasoning and created a grandiose work composed of musings heavier than the reality that had borne them.
The albums begins with fervor a rush of instruments with no pause or build up, a strike to the iron and a blow to the mind; “
Fallen One” tapers a bit within the progression of its introduction but becomes focused as the first verse commences—the whole of the song is just a torrent of headbanging. Starting with an eerie ambiance, “
Recitation,” quickly forgoes the atmosphere in favor of staccato rhythms and a heavy bass line. “
Heaven In Shadows” has itself a more intricate buildup before modulating into the verse.
“
Deliverance” is a track filled with hastened riffs and a relentless rhythm, it’s just about the most Thrash laden track on the entirety of the album and bears that distinction with great pride. “
I Rise” is perhaps my favorite song on the album, being composed of intricate rhythms, an in-your-face groove, and a creepy solo.
The instruments are something pristine, melding with one another to form a larger-than-life soundscape completely captivating the listener in its full band onslaught. The guitars are bitter, remorseless, and aggressive guiding the listener across the expanse of grinding metal; the bass is powerful, stoic, and engaging providing the foundation for the rest of the band as well as driving the entirety of the music; the drums are in the pocket, consistently powerful, and color in the edges of the soundscape with cymbal accents; the vocals are immeasurably powerful drawing the focus in every song whether it be through belts, growls, or reaching screams—the intensity and delivery of
Aleksi’s singing reminds me a great deal of J
ohnny Gioeli.
Of a sound and substance all their own,
MEDICATED, carves forward a path set in stone with tools of metal and rage of which few can hope to follow—their first full length LP serves as both a great introduction to the band for anyone unfamiliar to their sound, and as a great payoff to fans that have been waiting for a full release. Approaching the duration of a feature length film, “
Descension” has a great amount of material to offer, from the up front and personal approach of “Fallen One” to the harmonious “
My Descent” the album is filled with a myriad of intensities.
Songwriting: 8
Musicianship: 8
Memorability: 7
Production: 9