Nucleus - Entity

I can't remember exactly how I found out about Nucleus, but it was a couple years back and I was hooked instantly! I was hyped to be given their upcoming album, "Entity", to review. This is definitely my favorite release by Nucleus. I've been jamming this so hard.

Hailing from Chicago, Nucleus has several absolutely crushing/mind bending releases under their belt and I'm stoked to see their catalog continue to grow. Progressing, IMO, with each offering. If you've followed them, you know just how sick their tunes are... so... now onto the BEAST known as "Entity".

I feel like Nucleus, even more so on this release, lends to a special listen. Combining some pummeling DM riffage, some tech tossed in all the while ripping your face off, melting your brain and working as one cohesive element. For me, at least, I notice myself getting immersed in the heaviness and just banging my head some, then there's parts I wanna dissect and just listen to each instrument on it's own on. Which I find important in the vein of their music. Again, the craft and writing abilities shine through in a large way.

I'll just throw this in here now... one of the most fascinating parts of this album (shit, Nucleus in general) is the way the instruments play off one another. I make it a point to listen to every album I review in my home speakers, car and headphones. When I got to the headphone listen, I was floored to hear parts in one ear and one on the other. Absolute masters of their craft.

To me, "Entity" flows as one piece. Not in the manner of Edge Of Sanity's "Crimson", but more like "The Wall". You can listen to certain tracks (on their own) but it I've jammed this several times and (for me) it could be one long track. A bonus of having it split up, is you can navigate to your favorite parts quicker. All this being said, I'm gonna write about the opening, the ending and spotlight my stand out parts as this as were a single track. Cool? I hope so.

Well, damn, it opens with a somber acoustic passage that quickly wills in the sounds of armageddon and allows them to crush down. Layered atop the acoustic are the heaviest of chords, gnarly low end, pounding double bass and hellish growls. As you drift off into a cavernous trance... BAM... speed is added to the power. Along with thrashy/shredding/dissonant/DM groove riffing, on point solos, solid/creative/tasteful drumming, sick bass lines and top shelf growls.

'Arrival' :44 - AYE YI YI a hauntingly eerie beating. Like a sledgehammer to the ears.

'Uplift' at 2:26. That fucking riff. Again, the manner in which the guitars play off one another. Every single damn thing. I love being reminded (happens a lot) why I love death metal. MORE MORE!!!!!

'Uplift' at 4:08. dare I say modern day Coroner-esque? Whipping and thrashing in a ll it's glory.

The opening riff of 'Mobilization'. Sheer brutality. Reminiscent of the old days. Duh Duh Duh Duh Duh Duh Duh Duh with Nucleus' own spin on it. Mother Fucker

Now.... 'Approach'... I've listened to this part more than any other. I'm a huge fan of instrumentals that build, keep building, have direction and serve a purpose to the album as a whole. That's exactly what this part does. I remember running while listening to this. In my head it was gonna be a frightening interlude. Involving keys, acoustic guitars, and relentless hammering drums. Then at 2:07, blazing riffs, I screamed "HOLY SHIT". Yes, literally. Then it winds back down as it came in. I can breathe again.

'Dominion' at 1:01. Another throwback to the old school with the Nucleus touch. Sick riff, lightning double bass and those growls again. Ala Nucleus. So thankful it's repeated!!!!!

One riff, in particular, I try to count out to myself is 'Dominion' at 3:02. The harmonies, the timing, how how how how? Intoxicating to say the least. But damn, that could go for this entire album

Another reason I think "Entity" is best played in it's entirety is, it exits much like it enters. YES, I've blasted certain tracks by themselves, but prefer it as a whole. A perfect bookend to a mammoth of a ride. Somber acoustic guitars, and it continues to build. Ripping. Thrashing. Beating. Bashing. Until it fades away leaving me wanting to start it over.

I wholeheartedly believe "Entity" will be one of this year's best releases. I know it'll be one of mine!

Stand outs:
Listed above

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1. Arrival
2. Entity
3. Uplift
4. Mobilization
5. Approach
6. Outpost
7. Dominion
8. Timechasm