Album Review: Sonic Assault - Neon-Lit Metropolis
Reviewed by Robbie Maguire
We know there is something creatively very potent within the fertile waters of Gothenburg. Quite what it is that continually yields ever rewarding results only those integral and linked to the heavy music scenes in that hallowed City could tell us. Sonic Assault are indeed one of those bands who, after a lengthy hiatus were reborn in 2019, have been clearing indulging in these artistic elixirs that flow through their home City. ‘Neo Lit Metropolis’ sees the progressive thrash band adopt a feverishly old school feel yet injecting such a venomous searing shot of modern technical metal.
With a very clear sci fi and futuristic ambience running through the ten tracks the sheer visceral power that opener ‘Internal Infernal’ explodes out of the speakers with its blistering thrash attack sets the tone for the album. A tone that retains such a vice like grip only for the occasional dramatic and bleak industrial soundscapes which scatter the album to act as a respite from the relentless yet brilliant scathing metal. Fusing black metal, thrash and a good dose of hardcore the songs ooze an engaging refreshing quality. From the straight up scorching rager, ‘Affliction’ to the dark and mid paced ‘Gods Image is Dead’ Sonic Assault have an astute understanding and execution of the heavier end of progressive metal and ensure that one’s focus is committed and wholly focused on their craft. With a few simple embellishments they effortlessly alter the dynamics revealing that their quest for the punishing and intense is matched by their drive to allow the album to continually evolve and indeed at times explore softer melodic textures within the songs.
The distorted grungy menacing intro of ‘Sirens’ may surprise but the blackened thrash that ensues is a venomous treat with quirky Avant Garde touches gracing it. Dizzying changes in tempo are frequent and the gruff, twisted screams, sit far enough back in the mix to not overpower. Executing caustic riffs by the bucketload and firing off their own take on this brand of extreme metal with startling technical proficiency, it’s when Sonic Assault kick back and distance themselves from normal heavy music conventions that you hear how truly special and impressive this album is. At times Sonic Assault don’t follow the predictable pattern with the songs rather favouring a darker progressive approach. The epic ‘Coercive Augmentations’ plummets and rises, twists and writhes as this progressive odyssey unfolds. Bountiful savage riffs are balanced out with intricate yet scintillating fretwork. Through all the furious technical endeavour on display softer textures do shine through resulting in a satisfying cohesiveness that one can only marvel at. Very much the creative zenith of the album this towering song looms large as if everything has been building to this nine minute frenetically charged epic.
On this evidence not only will Sonic Assaults stock within the technical progressive metal world will have been enhanced but their importance and impact within the wider metal world will be celebrated. ‘Neo Lit Metropolis’ is an exhilarating, progressive triumph of an album.
