Album Review: Ionosphere – The Inexorable End
Reviewed by Tim Finch
Ionosphere may be a new name to many, a Birmingham based four piece they feature former members of Anaal Nathrakh and Fukpig amongst their ranks. Based on that pedigree you would likely be expecting some of the most extreme music known to man, and in some respects that is true, but in other aspects of this album, you’re going to have your socks blown off by what they deliver.
Classing themselves as ‘Boingwave’ they deliver a unique brand of metal which fuses “boingy” and chugging eight string riffs and synthwave interludes.
The album ‘The Inexorable End’ opens with “Fear Will Prevail’ you immediately get a taste of what they are about. The smooth, silky synth intro is joined by a guitar and all seems well until Jon Bakers guttural vocals kick in and things turn more extreme. Tech death barrages make way for synth breakdowns before reverting again. It’s a juxtaposition that shouldn’t work, but actually does very well.
From there on you do wonder if the band will be able to vary this sound much, is it just a blend of two opposing styles repeated over seven tracks or can the band build on this to produce something really unique?
That question is answered by the time we hit ‘Ginormulon’. A softer guitar tone greets us and leads us into this assault. But it feels different, the synths lay a foundation for this song rather than sitting as an opposing breakdown. The two styles compliment each other perfectly and the overall sound is enhanced as a result.
It’s an interesting listen throughout, the technical guitar wizardry in the style of Meshuggah melded with the synth sound is a unique delivery and makes the band stand out. If you are looking for something different and totally unique to wrap your ears round, what better place to start than here.
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