Atheist - Jupiter (2010)

I never really saw it coming, death metal's techno wizards return. The masters of awkward thrashing and bemusing death, confusing yet intriguing fans and critics since the early '90s. Nothing has really changed, the complexities as harsh and as alienating as anything on 'Elements', but vocally Shaefer is more vicious, somewhere between Sadus and the last Death record. It's laughably brilliant at times, just check out the network of chords, bass lines and trigger drums on 'Fictitious Glide'. Many will find 'Jupietr' as cold and extraterrestrial as the planet - an obscure yet myriad of technical amazement which renders all competition numb. 'Faux King Christ' is mesmerising with its hidden jazz episodes and Latin weirdness tucked in the background behind those face-ripping yet never consistent tempo's which structurally fragment like shattered glass. The record is full of complicated segments, discordant particles and cosmic fantasy, wrapped up in that fearsome zip of a deathly sound. 'Tortoise The Titan' bewilders, befuddles and bewitches, the band leaving you agog, but others will run from this intricate noise, and those who are brave enough to stick around this alienating place will find themselves scratching what long hair they have left. Atheist are marvels at this type of extreme music, it is unique, but an acquired taste. See also Cynic, Anacrusis, Pestilence circa 'Spheres', later Death, etc for similar unearthly beings.

8/10