Avensis - When We Ran Out of Universe

Throwing caution to the wind, Avensis' full-length instrumental "When We Ran Out of Universe" is a genre-bending experience bordering on the cinematic. Opener "Hello" ushers you to your seat with soft solo piano notes before it's lights out, curtains open. "Erase Cache" is a whirlwind of electronic dissonance, towering guitar marches, chaotic interwoven leads, and piano interludes. This frenetic formula managed to keep me on my toes as a listener, without being so confused as to lose interest. Abrupt instrument, key, and tempo changes, and breakdowns laced with glitchy samples are consistent through headbanger "So Much for the Clients" which introduces some more progressive elements. Interlude "Recovery Device" adds a taste of post-rock with overlapping delayed guitars and razor sharp snare hits. "Mystagogue" - my favorite track and in my opinion the strongest offering on "Universe" - is a dazzling trip that employs all of Avensis' strongest aforementioned techniques while remaining perhaps the most fluid number on the record. "Gamma Correction" is a straight-out-of-Tron techno romp from hell that is sure to test any speakers or headphones, another memorable standout. "DOS Adventure 3" begins with nostalgic NES-style chatter before sinking into warm synth strings reminiscent of Nobuo Uematsu's compositions; a tasteful tribute to any gamer's childhood, whether intended or not. "We Are Invictus" and "Lights Over Kahlil" are more straightforward, and sadly less ambitious rockers, that while fairly strong on their own, disrupt the conceptual feel of the album. Closer "Goodbye" is a succinct yet vibrant dance of piano and strings nodding back to the soundtrack-esque nature of "DOS."

"When We Ran Out of Universe" is an adventurous journey that will catch your attention and hold it. Production is mostly solid, shining throughout the quieter tracks ("Hello", "Recovery Device", "DOS Adventure 3"). Drums are occasionally overridden by heavily saturated guitar leads ("Erase Cache"), but not enough to be a turn-off for this listener. There is an imaginative sense of method to this madness that gives "Universe" genuine charm - "Mystagogue" is a must! This was my first exposure to Avensis, and I look forward to future releases. Despite losing some steam in the second half, "When We Ran Out of Universe" is a polished gem for the open-minded.