“Colossus” in unsurprisingly used by quite a few heavy bands, even just within America, but this album is the debut from the technical death metal trio hailing from Illinois. The line-up is Steven Chavez (vocals, bass, Cereviscera, ex-Sektarius, ex-Cannibal Abortion, ex-Martyrs of Necromancy), Dan Klein (vocals, drums, Cryptic Fog, Invasion, Nocturne, Relentless, Throne of Sacrilege, ex-Disfigurement, ex-Fin, ex-Berator, ex-Lord Mantis) and Von Young (guitars, Lividity, ex-Deaden, ex-Putrefaction, Between the Killings), and one knows from the outset that here are musicians who have been around and know what they are doing as the music is incredibly complex, with ferocious note density.

Indeed, there are times when it feels much more like a flow as opposed to individual notes, such is the speed, yet they are always in unison and in time. Indeed, Steven and Von are so tightly linked that at times it is hard to hear the separation between the instruments as it comes at the listener as a wall of sound which is constantly moving and changing. It is brutal in its approach, with different time signatures and small interludes (both musical and non-musical) which allow the listener to undertake a reset so that when they come back, they are somewhat heavier than before. I have no idea how they can perform this live, as I cannot comprehend how Dan can provide both vocals and drums as this brutality must play havoc with breathing, let alone singing.

Now they are signed with Comatose Music it will be interesting to see how they progress, as I do get the impression that this was self-recorded and self-produced, and the use of a proper metal producer would have taken this to a whole new level. Still, as it is this is a fine example of tech death, and anyone interested in the genre should seek this out.

Rating: 7/10

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/Colossus-DM-Official-102739311506652/
https://www.comatosemusic.com/