Centaurus-A – Side Effects Expected (2009)

After nine years and four demos this German band blows us away with their debut album “Side Effects Expected”. Their highly technical Death metal took me by surprise when this album started. I was not expecting anything of this quality for a first release of a band.  If I had to pick a favorite song in this album, I would not be able to do this, since all of them are excellent.

The dual guitars work along with the precise drumming take this album to a whole new level in terms of technical Death metal releases. Every song features different solos and riffs that would keep any metal head with A.D.D paying close attention to them. The changes in between songs are brilliantly executed and dramatically increase the complexity of the songs.

The vocals are powerful enough to keep up with the intensity of the music and just add another thing to like about this album. There is no need for fancy keyboards or arrangements here (even though they seem to be used in the track “The ease”), the melodic brutality of the music is more than enough. The bass guitar line is also very well defined and while not mixed to high, it’s still pounding away in every song.

I have to say that this band has achieved a release close to perfection. They mix of brutal passages with melodic slower parts in some songs, provide the perfect equilibrium a band should have to not sound to linear and repetitive. I can compare this band to their fellow countrymen Obscura in some parts. But I definitely prefer this album since it’s more diverse that the previously mentioned band latest release.

If you haven’t bought this album yet, you should stop reading and go and get it, since I can guarantee that you wont be disappointed.

Country: Germany