It’s funny BE because those bands are three of my favorite because of the change in sound. I like the songwriting of those bands and enjoy hearing it in different genres. Just a different take.
Oh shit, the Killjoy is reviewing a thrash metal album. Brace yourselves.
ADD-friendly review: This is not the worst album of the revivalist thrash movement I've come across.
In spite of my pseudo-crusade against anything revivalist, I admittedly found Vektor's Outer Isolation to be a clear step above the rest. Now, I compared these guys to Toxik when I first listened to the over-hyped debut, Black Future. They immediately built success off that sound, a highly technical form of thrash metal that even drew some appreciation from the prog crowd. Yet, people kept telling me how much more they had in common with Voivod, so I took a break and caught up with those old school thrashers.
Not as good as mighty Black Future. Not a fan of the production, but containing two absolutely amazing songs; Cosmic Cortex and Tetrastructural Minds makes this an very good album anyways.
Not as good as mighty Black Future. Not a fan of the production, but containing two absolutely amazing songs; Cosmic Cortex and Tetrastructural Minds makes this an very good album anyways.
I find the last 3 songs all highlights actually. I've seen quite a few people bring up Tetrastructural Minds in that respect but I never really considered it one of the best songs. To me the WICKED opener and last 3 songs are the best and really make a nice sandwich of some of the best thrash ever made. Agreed that it isn't quite on Black Future's level though. I don't really mind the production although it is better on BF.
Not as good as mighty Black Future. Not a fan of the production, but containing two absolutely amazing songs; Cosmic Cortex and Tetrastructural Minds makes this an very good album anyways.
I find the last 3 songs all highlights actually. I've seen quite a few people bring up Tetrastructural Minds in that respect but I never really considered it one of the best songs. To me the WICKED opener and last 3 songs are the best and really make a nice sandwich of some of the best thrash ever made. Agreed that it isn't quite on Black Future's level though. I don't really mind the production although it is better on BF.
Well, Tetrastructural Minds just puts me in some kind of mood. Maybe it sounds weird but somehow for me it's kind of an emotional song. Very hard to explain. I'll agree that DC,DC is a very fine little song, but for me there is a big gap between my two favourites on this album and the rest. Not that those songs are bad or anything, I just don't consider them on level with any songs from BF, while, along with Accelerating Universe, Tetrastructural Minds and Cosmic Cortex are my favourite Vektor songs. I thought the production on BF was spot on - probably why the production on this one bugs me.
Well, Tetrastructural Minds just puts me in some kind of mood. Maybe it sounds weird but somehow for me it's kind of an emotional song. Very hard to explain. I'll agree that DC,DC is a very fine little song, but for me there is a big gap between my two favourites on this album and the rest. Not that those songs are bad or anything, I just don't consider them on level with any songs from BF, while, along with Accelerating Universe, Tetrastructural Minds and Cosmic Cortex are my favourite Vektor songs. I thought the production on BF was spot on - probably why the production on this one bugs me.
That's cool, it definitely it is a different production too. I think Accelerating Universe would be my #1 Vektor song with the title tracks from both albums and Cosmic Cortex right up there too.
This is an instant classic to my ears, one of my favourite albums of the decade, certainly by what I think is the most interesting bands of the thrash revival. This offering has less straightforward thrash elements, and more of a proggy approach, and I love it, even if I can see why others do not. I think they are making something truly unique here, and am experiencing great things from them in the future.
This is an instant classic to my ears, one of my favourite albums of the decade, certainly by what I think is the most interesting bands of the thrash revival. This offering has less straightforward thrash elements, and more of a proggy approach, and I love it, even if I can see why others do not. I think they are making something truly unique here, and am experiencing great things from them in the future.
Yeah, i think the same things as you, totally agree. By the way, if this is for you an instant classic, then i think your rating should be a great 10!
A clear step-down from Black Future (9.3/10), but still an excellent album. They improved on the songwriting front on the next album, Terminal Redux (9.4/10).
8.7/10 for me - 'Tetrastructural Minds' is definitely the standout song. 'Cosmic Cortex' and 'Fast Paced Society' are both also good.
Finally got around to it. It's pretty sweet. I like my Thrash to have either a heavy prog leaning (like this) or to be very punk/crossover (like Anthrax). I agree with OBC that I wish it had a couple of heavier, breakdown style sections. Still very good and extremely well produced. The high vocals are a nice touch too.