Band:	Periphery
Album:	Juggernaut: Alpha & Omega
Style:	Djent, Progressive math metal
Release date:	January 26, 2015
Guest review by:	flightoficarus

Disc I [Alpha]
01. A Black Minute
02. MK Ultra
03. Heavy Heart
04. The Event
05. The Scourge
06. Alpha
07. 22 Faces
08. Rainbow Gravity
09. Four Lights
10. Psychosphere

Disc II [Omega]
01. Reprise
02. The Bad Thing
03. Priestess
04. Graveless
05. Hell Below
06. Omega
07. Stranger Things

Disc III [Bonus DVD]
+ Juggerdoc
+ Bonus Content

Good news! Hot Topic has a new soundtrack! I was a little confused to see that Memphis May Fire had changed their name, but hey, new tr00 kvlt metal, amirite? Of course, I kid. In all seriousness though, I feel Periphery have made such a regression that it is hard to know where to begin.

Let's take a quick trip in my DeLorean to 2010. It seems like decades ago. A friend of mine posted a video of a little song called "Icarus Lives!" I was pretty blown away. In retrospect, it's not the greatest song ever or anything, but that riff and the low end made me feel funny in my pants. Two years later I was a big fan with both of their excellent LP's in my collection. I still play those album regularly.

So now it's 2015, and the concept album Misha has been talking up since maybe 2011 is finally out. With such a long wait, I was initially expecting to hear what would certainly enter my pantheon of favorite concept albums. Then they started to stream songs. One by one, my hopes were stepped on; the boot heel twisting by the 5th teaser. Full listens to the albums achieved no better results.

So what went wrong? For me, the problem lies mainly in the production and vocals. The guitars are still a decent enough selling point for me. From the lighter, cascading delay effects to the crunchier moments such as "MK Ultra," Periphery still knows where their bread and butter lies. The drums are equally well-played and each snare hit sounds alive. This is where my praise ends.

One of the first tracks I heard was "The Scourge." Certain moments sound like a failed attempt at Mars Volta vocals, frequently off key and over-reaching. Then there is "The Bad Thing:" standard metalcore fare noticeably over-similar to The Plot In You. Other songs sport stronger writing quite similar to that on Periphery II. The issue even with these is that the production is so poppy as to make me forget I am listening to what is supposed to be a metal record. A little experiment: go listen to "Immortals" (shudder) by Fall Out Boy and then listen to "Alpha" right after. I'll wait. You have to admit, the similarity is disturbingly striking.

Again, the vocals themselves are not always the issue. The catchy hooks on "Alpha" and odd favorite, "Heavy Heart," are well-constructed and sure to sell to a million new fans. I myself am a fan of one of the poppiest sounding concept bands out there: Coheed And Cambria. Claudio's vocals at times would be right at home on a Top 40 album. The difference is that the production choices C & C make lead to a darker, grittier sound. Alpha and Omega are so saccharine sweet in comparison that I think listening gave me diabetes.

To be fair, the other instruments make their share of missteps as well. Can I just say "Priestess"? I am fine with slower, more melodic songs, but this one made me throw up in my mouth a little with its sappy, generic sound. Then there are "Graveless" and "Hell Below;" tracks with djentier riffs than a Djentisaurus. For all of the flack Periphery takes regarding the genre, this was a huge step backwards from the usual level of variety showcased between the binary. And what the hell is with these bizarre outros?

There are a few successes to be found. "22 Faces" and "Stranger Things" sound like outtakes from Periphery II. The guitars are crushing and make some really cool transitions with fills and changes in groove. The drums are just epic with several pace changes and ear-catching patterns. For once the singing reaches close to the pop/metal threshold without crossing it. Melodies are strong, but the delivery is grittier and less nasal. "Rainbow Gravity" isn't half bad either with its proficient soloing and neo-classical inspired riffs. Then there is the lengthy "Omega." The various parts involved are more typical of the Periphery catalog, though I'm not sure they flow well enough to qualify as one song. But as good as these songs can be, don't expect anything on par with "MAKE TOTAL DESTROY."

In the end, Alpha and Omega are a big disappointment for me. There are some things that are still admirable about Periphery's musicianship, but the increase in pop sentiment is ultimately not for me. It's like Meshuggah and My Chemical Romance had a little bastard child, then Meshuggah left to "buy some cigarettes." Ultimately, I realize that it doesn't matter what I think. The pristine sound, catchy sing-alongs, and lovely packaging are all carefully constructed to sell this album to masses. I expect to see dozens of new fourteen year old fans and hear the next single on the radio sandwiched between New Found Glory and Slipknot. I guess everyone deserves a pay day.