V:28

Soulsaviour

Vendlus Records 2005

The first V:28 with its combination of death metal and Industrial made quite an impact on me.  The new album had a lot to live up to and it has surpassed my expectations.  This is a continuation of the first album Anthropogenic and the song titles even start at 11 and end at 19.  But not only is this a continuation it is also an advancement of themes and composition.  The intro The Brightest Light sets the stage perfectly for the "scientific" metal that is to follow.  I love the way it transitions from the sample of the guy's voice into the opening riff of Unleash the Energy.  V:28 has a method of epic riffing that just speaks to me on an emotional level.  Evidence of progression is that they have relied less on using the same riff to carry the song the whole way through.  They have changed it up quite a bit more with more riff and temp changes.  I think my favorite song is Infected by Life.  It has an almost techno like breakdown in the middle of it and then bursts into some hard metal riffing that just kills me.  Also the song deConstructor kills me with its slamming bass drum effect.  It adds a lot of power to the passages it is used in.  One thing though is that there seems to be a more moments of quiet reflection and solitude on this album.  I mean there are more parts that have simple and somber keyboards or a kind of serene guitar lead.  The production this time around is pretty much the same, maybe a little cleaner.  Also the industrial "noises" and samples are a little more discernable in the mix than on Anthropogenic.  I think the cover art is a little silly.  I mean I grasp the intended message I think but it just doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.  There is a limited version of it out there that comes with a poster as well.  I personally think these guys are bound for great things in metal and will gain a much larger following.  They definitely deserve it.