Periphery II Review

This wont't be putting a djent in my wallet*

Even though I consider myself a metalhead, it always seems that certain bands and even genres pass by me until they’re established enough to be ‘in’.  Periphery and the ‘djent’ scene are a perfect example of this.  Their 2010 self-titled album won commentators over, despite some reservations about the vocals, a glut of vaguely similar bands appeared and moved forward apace – all passing me by until a few months ago.  Being a huge fan of Threat Signal’s maiden effort Under Reprisal, I came to read reviews of their self-titled album released late last year and found constant mentions of the ‘djent scene’.  Fast forward 6 months and I’m still only vaguely clued up on all things djent, but I have listened to Periphery II a number of times…so to my review!

As the opening song of Periphery II, Muramasa, builds with restrained electronic notes, vocals full of feel and liquid guitar melodies it feels as though you’re about to experience an album of epic proportions.  Unfortunately moments later the 7th-string high-attack riffs typical of the ‘djent’ sound come crashing in and crush the atmosphere, this fall then hastened by the introduction of singer Spencer Sotelo’s saccharine whine.  Not unlike Muramasa, second track Have a Blast follows a similar pattern, captivating with excellent angular guitar riffs and aggressive growls, only to break the mood with random ‘jazzy’ guitar noodling over a swooshing electronic haze 90 seconds in.  

The first two cuts set the tone for the following 60 odd minutes, as Periphery II’s strengths and weaknesses aren’t consistent.  Sometimes a stodgy riff or directionless guitar melody breaks the tone, while other songs are dragged down by pointless electronica.  It is such a shame because the sporadic sections that work really do ‘click’.  Singer Spencer Sotelo fits Periphery perfectly in this regard; his growls are sufficient, and his vocal leads really carry some songs when raised high in the mix, but that aforementioned poppy whine is employed just enough to really grate.

Periphery cannot be faulted for their range or technical skills, as they incorporate a number of styles into single songs across an entire album and maintain an individual sound.  Unfortunately, and unlike bands that can blend styles to perfection such as Scar Symmetry or Opeth, I just find that individual sound painfully inconsistent and as a result, not particualrly enjoyable.  It doesn’t help that such varied quality is also stretched out across the painfully long 70 minute album running time.

This is the first 5/10 review I will dish-out, and while Periphery are anything but averageness exemplified, most songs have almost unbearable elements that I cannot ignore.  If I could take out the rubbish bits my score would immediately inflate, as there are some great riffs and leads in places, and if you’re excellent at selective listening give Periphery II a try.

5/10

Favourite Track: Scarlet -  the most consistently enjoyable song
Worst track: Bits of every song in the rest of the album

*Feel free to tut at my poor pun