Born Of Osiris - The Discovery

If Born Of Osiris's older releases were anything to go by, "The Discovery" would have been another awful deathcore album with some rare and sparkling glints of mediocrity. Let's face it, "The New Reign" was anything but fantastic. But the generic, breakdown-laden tracks like "Bow Down" and the rambling catastrophe's that were ultimately doomed to go nowhere like "Now Arise" have miraculously disappeared.

I must admit, when I heard Born of Osiris were releasing a new album, I was skeptical. I was hoping that the band would have matured and grown a little so I could possibly look forward an amateur 8-track number. However, nobody could have anticipated just how much the boys from Illinois would blossom. Instead of stabilizing a position as contending deathcore players, which would be expected from a fairly generic 4th release, Born Of Osiris have completely knocked down all barriers in their path. In order to fully enjoy this album you have to throw away all dispositions you may have about this band. You no longer need to cower in fear at the thought of breakdowns around every corner and shocking attempts at guitar wizardry in an awkwardly structured catastrophe of a song. "The Discovery" is quite possibly one of the greatest releases of 2011.

After being signed to Sumerian Records for quite some time now, fans can let loose a sigh of relief as the band finally clambers aboard the "Sumeriancore" bandwagon. Poly-rhythmic chug-masterpieces are thickly laid throughout standout tracks such as "Regenerate" and "Dissimulation". Except this time around they aren't fooling around with time signatures and picking patterns. Most of the breakdowns that litter this album are accompanied by incredible fretwork that add an entirely separate layer to an otherwise abrasively boring breakdown. The sheer brutality that accompanies fantastically blissful melody is incredulously boner-inducing. Few artists have even come close to producing brutal-melodies to a satisfactory standard, but Born Of Osiris seem to have guitar and keyboard sections so harmoniously combined that it often leaves the listener craving for more. Thankfully, "The Discovery" has wondrously memorable melodies coming out the wazoo. The quality of guitar playing has been bumped up to 11, allowing Lee McKinney to produce so many catchy riffs like the solo in "Dissimulation" or the monumentally memorable lick from "Recreate". Utterly dazzling guitar work is in area somewhat unexplored by Born Of Osiris, aside from a few sweeps here and there. "The Discovery"'s guitar work is highly commendable and produces some very technical and recognizable riffs, which is a large step forwards from the bands previous efforts, creating one of the greatest albums to date.

On that note, the band has propelled their compositional skills to blinding heights, writing actual songs that have recognizable riffs, brutal breakdowns that make you want to throw down in the pit even if your bones are made of glass, and keyboard tomfoolery of near-ambient caliber. But without a doubt, the most interesting development of "The Discovery" is that the spotlight is suddenly shining on the keyboardist and backup vocalist, Joe Buras. Born Of Osiris appear to have realized the importance of repeating hooks and catchier sections, which nine times out of ten, are supplied by the keyboardist and backup vocalist Joe Buras. In certain cases, Joe is supplying more vocal energy than the frontman, Ronnie Conizaro. I can only imagine the smile of utter satisfaction that would have spread across Joe's face when he was told the bar of technicality had been significantly raised. It becomes clear, right out of the gates, on the track "Follow The Signs" that Joe was no longer a space-filler. The sensually stimulating melodies that seem to effortlessly flow from Joe's fingers are not only abundant, but extremely remarkable. In fact, Joe Buras might just be the MVP of "The Discovery", as he also supplies some stunningly powerful vocal performances.

Production quality is hit-and-miss, which is understandable considering Sumerian Records lack the funding for the top-notch recording equipment. But "The Discovery" still delivers the guitar riffs in a chunky and powerful tone that is both clear and crisp. There are no sharp note changes that get lost in a flurry of fuzz and chugging. Cameron Losch creates incredibly complex and powerful drumlines, but I felt the recording quality was the stick-spinners downfall. The drums really lacked the necessary 'OOMPH!' that is of paramount essentialness for any spectacular recording mix, especially for such a standout album like this. However, this recording features a rare and frequently underestimated stroke of brilliance. The bass. Not only is the instrument actually audible, but Bassist David Darocha stretches his fingers to unimaginably astounding lengths to create basslines that most aspiring musicians will covet in an almost biblical manner for decades to come. The bass does not act as musical enhancing tool, but rather, as an entirely new foundation. Bass-driven sections add an entirely new feel to songs like "Devastate" and "Shaping The Masterpiece". However, overall, the recording quality is of a high standard, but does not give "The Discovery" the desired exhilarating luster. A better job could have been done to ensure that everything was perfectly audible and explicitly defined.

Older fans of Born Of Osiris will be reduced a slobbering, jizz covered mess after hearing this album in it's entirety. Born Of Osiris have hauled themselves to the forefront of the progressive genre and will probably continue to hurtle along the tracks at an astonishingly fast pace if this release is anything to go by. "The Discovery" is a completely unexpected masterpiece that will undoubtedly tear apart the foundations of the deathcore genre. Progressive fans will have an album to brag about and deathcore fans can really sink their teeth into this musical masterpiece. "The Discovery" is easily one of the top releases of the decade so far, and I wouldn't be surprised if it stayed at the top for years to come. I highly recommend this album to anyone who can grasp their sweaty palms around it.
Why are you even still reading this? Shouldn't you be on your way to the nearest record store?
You should be ashamed for not having already purchased this album.
Go and buy it.
Now.

(hazzawhite95@hotmail.com)