Odem — Timeless Past Above
Built on six tracks of varying length, Timeless Past Above pushes the limits of death metal stereotypes. With a track just over twelve minutes. it is clear that Odem have their own agenda, and thankfully they didn't cave to the norms. Opening with the eight minute beast, "Ascendance," it is very clear that this is a post-Colored Sands universe. Death metal has grown to fill the confines it was born in, and has started to break through the box. Full, dense, and multilayered, there is a lot on display for metalheads here. For some of the older listeners out there, you may be brought back to your youth, as some of the tones on "Vermes" are like a warp back to Sepultura's Chaos A.D. Well performed, well mixed, and wonderfully arranged, Timeless Past Above mixes speed and technicality with evocative riffs and well placed, melodic respites. With layers heading in varying directions, there is an awful lot here for the listener to take in, so multiple spins are required. Unlocking more and more on each successive spin, the beauty of Odem's latest is in re-discovery. One would be hard pressed to not be stuck on the blistering speed and ferocity upon his/her first listen. Digging deeper, many layers are exposed, and the well crafted album can truly shine. Odem is in a tricky spot, too: long songs can get tiresome...especially an album full of them. Rising to the challenge, Timeless Past Above plays a lot faster than the times on paper. Every song flows with determination and precision, and nothing ever drags. They even manage to top it off with an Immolation cover!
Odem's latest, Timeless Past Above, is a highly-anticipated slice of tech/prog death metal mastery. Lovingly written, played, recorded, and arranged, this album provides a wonderful soundtrack to what may be a very long winter, both literally and metaphorically. Hanker down by the fire, crank some vicious metal, and warm up from the inside out.