E.P. Review: Mindwork - Cortex
Reviewed by Paul Hutchings
Having been on hiatus for the best part of eight years, Czech technical progressive metal outfit Mindwork finally follow up their 2012 album ‘Eterea’ with their latest E.P. ‘Cortex’. The band’s current line-up retains founder members Martin Schuster on vocals and guitars and drummer Filip Kittnar, alongside newer members Jiri Rambousek on lead guitar and bassist Dominik Vozobule.
Three songs and one intro are enough to whet the appetite for the promise of more expansive and progressive metal soon, with Schuster promising a full release.
Combining a classic era tech-death metal approach with a contemporary sound and mastering courtesy of the legendary Jens Borgren,’ Cortex’ works superbly. After the atmospheric instrumental opening of ‚’Beyond the Cortex’, with its haunting piano, anticipation builds to a crescendo before the band open up with ‘Depersonalised’. Complete with a stunningly crafted solo from former Death member Bobby Koelble. The variation in Schuster’s vocal delivery summons up comparisons with Ihshan, a growling croak mixed with some delightful harmonies. As the track develops and increases in pace, the technicality increases, the intricacy level elevated before a beautiful calm concluding passage closes the song.
Having supported Cynic in the past, Mindwork pay a moving tribute to the band and the recently departed members on closing track ‘Grinding the Edges’, complete with use of vocoder and as dedicated outro. The music is sweet, the interplay crisp and clean, and the overall delivery masterful.
Despite a running time of 17 minutes, this is no throwaway E.P. The subject matter delves deep into the human psyche with feelings of depersonalisation on ‘Depersonalised’, the desperation of a citizen who deals with a hated politician in his own way in ‘Last Lie Told’ and the concluding song, ‘Grinding the Edges’ which covers the toxic influences that some around you may have. As a taster for their return, Cortex simply leaves you wanting the main course
