Just as you've always been told “never judge a book by it's cover”, so should you never judge an album from it's opening salvo! Case in point Origin’s 6th effort Entity and its savage opening flurry of drums and guitar that would have many believing nothing more than a generic, one-dimensional death metal record was to follow. Yet as opener Explosion of Fury evolves and the remaining 37 minutes race by, a plethora of ideas and creativity prove the shackles have been well and truly cast aside.

Let there be no misunderstanding, at times this album is heavier than Jupiter! Yet for all the immense technical skill and attitude that threatens to tear your head off, its the strength of the melodies and how they are bolstered that make such a distinctive and intriguing batch of songs. Be it the catchy chorus of the frantic 90 second long Purgatory or the galloping riffs and stop-start passages that underpin the 7 minute epic Saliga, the unison of the punishing double bass, high velocity guitar attack tremolo and the untamed vocal melodies creates a potent weapon that is frequently put to use in fashioning some very memorable moments.

Crucially nothing is done to excess. Swarm, Fornever and Banishing Illusion inject so many concise, punchy ideas into their respective 2 minute durations that any sense of fatigue or complacency is nigh on impossible. Only the ear piercing, jarring guitar noise in Committed offers any real blemish on an otherwise faultless and intensive package. Consequence of Solution proves the band are more than capable of stretching their formula to lengthier numbers without loosing any of their potency or sheer ferociousness. 

Ultimately its the chords and riffs that linger with purpose, the guitar leads that compliment rather than detract, and a maturity to know when to play nothing rather than cramming in a million notes that create such effect dynamics and consequently an album so vibrant that as soon as the closing neck snapping riff to Evolution of Extinction begins to fade, you’ll find yourself already reaching for the repeat button.