It’s time for Dysgnostic to reveal itself.
Formed in 2008 in Denmark under the name Defilementory, the band released an EP, a demo and then an album before changing their name in 2021, at the same time as their signing to Transcending Obscurity Records. Thomas Fischer (bass/vocals, Apparatus), Simon Kannegard (guitar, Encyrcle) and Richardt Olsen (drums, Abscission) announced the release of Scar Echoes in 2022.
The album starts with Dysgnostic, the eponymous and dissonant track which announces as much coldness as the technicality the band floods us with in the company of raw vocal parts before Silvery Tongues brings us into the raw rage. Heaviness also appears, creating a contrast with the fastest riffs while keeping chaotic patterns just like on Beneath Abyssal Plains and its soothing and haunting dissonance. Cavernous howls soon resurface on this oppressive track as well as on Oceans of Grey which offers more chaotic but equally dark touches. The band will call upon their Brutal Death roots to complement the dark dissonance on the final as well as on Nothing’s Embrace which will almost permanently call upon soaring harmonics to create an as heady as disturbing atmosphere. The heavy parts answer the most soothing elements, then Scion of Absence throws us on progressive and oppressive elements before releasing the real strength of the track which places Brutal Death elements in the aggressive and sometimes darker dissonance. Vocals are also more unhealthy, just like on Eternal Recurrence and its chaotic harmonics which know how to join in heavier and darker parts. Furious blast accompanies us on a progressive final before Darkest Muse closes the album with its burdening and heavy sounds which let vocals reveal a palpable oppression interspersed with some softer and occult parts.
The evolution of Dysgnostic is easily felt. The band’s mix now allows them to do a lot of things, making Scar Echoes a complex and dark album which will speak to its audience while intriguing fans of musical complexity.
80/100