Brain Drill - Quantum Catastrophe

August 23, 2010

Reviewer: The Stream

Northern CA-based brutal technical death outfit Brain Drill is back with a slightly modified lineup. Their 2010 release, Quantum Catastrophe, is a tour de force of technical riffing, and is just as enjoyable, if not moreso than their 2008 release Apocalyptic Feasting. Ridiculously fast and full of time and key changes, Quantum has a several more guitar solos and fills than their past release that help distinguish this up and coming band as a serious purveyor of technical death metal.

The first issue that should be addressed is altered lineup. Quantum Catastrophe features a new bassist and a new drummer. Ivan Munguia and Ron Casey have replaced Jeff Hughell and Marco Pitruzella. These new members define themselves right from the beginning of the record with some serious blast beats and double-tapping technique on a 6-string bass.

Guitarist and mastermind Dylan Ruskin can definitely hold his own musically, often playing in unison or in thirds with Munguia’s heavily melodic bass lines. Ruskin’s epic solos are definitely worthy of mention as well. Sweep-picking, tapping, and harmonic bends comprise his highly complex solos throughout Quantum Catastrophe. Tracks such as “Nemesis of Neglect” and “Monumental Failure” stand out as musical gems which are bound to please the technical death metal enthusiast. Steve Rathjen transitions from low growl vocals to brutal screams in a way that is reminiscent of Frank Mullen in the late 90s while Ron Casey’s technical drumming drives the band through multiple (often 5+) time changes within individual songs.

Quantum Catastrophe’s production is remarkably refined. Kudos definitely go to Zach Ohren, who has also produced albums for notable death metal acts such as Suffocation, Decrepit Birth, Animosity, and All Shall Perish. The balance between melody and rhythm is even, while Steve Rathjen’s brutal vocals often take the spotlight, as they rightfully should.

Rathjen took on the burden of most of the songwriting on Quantum Catastrophe and definitely flexes his creative muscles throughout the album. The lyrical focus is mostly on the apocalypse, a la 2012, with a bit of science fiction slant. The lyrics in “Entity of Extinction” stood out to me as some of the most creative on the album: “Entity of extinction / Twitching , convulsing , no time to decay / veins quickly rapture, every orifice leaking / radiation extinction , eradication is reeking /”.

Even though Quantum Catastrophe obviously has numerous merits, it has not been universally praised within the metal community. The album seems to be a bit disjointed at a few places though, which may have come as an effect of the lineup change. One has to understand that brutal technical death metal is not going to make everyone happy. Some will enjoy the blast beats, chaos, and discordance, complemented by screaming of course, while others will just want a bottle of Extra Strength Tylenol after listening to this album. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as they say.

That being said, Quantum Catastrophe is a great brutal technical death metal album, with emphasis on the technical. Chock-full-of melodic guitar solos and total bass guitar ownage, fans of technical death metal are sure to appreciate Brain Drill’s new lineup, the musical merits of this album, and the interesting songwriting. Although this album isn’t groundbreaking, there are multiple strong points that will surely be enjoyed by the seasoned tech-death enthusiast.

Release Date: May 11th, 2010
Label: Metal Blade Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Obliteration Untold
2.  Beyond Bludgeoned
3.  Awaiting Imminent Destruction
4.  Nemesis of Neglect
5.  Entity of Extinction
6.  Mercy to None
7.  Monumental Failure
8.  Quantum Catastrophe

Total playing time:  41:54

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