Trigger – Cryogenesis (Submitted Review)

Posted on September 9, 2017 by Gareth Williams

Trigger – Cryogenesis
Released: OUT NOW

Trigger Line up:

Tim Leopold – Vocals
Luke Ashley – Guitar
Sean Solley – Guitar
Matt Ambrose – Bass
Tim Joyce – Drums

Trigger online:
Facebook
Bandcamp
Bigcartel

I seem to be saying this a lot lately, but… occasionally something comes across my desk that instantly makes me sit up and take notice. And on a very rare occasion, I sit there, captivated for the entire album. Well ladies, gents, boys, girls…. wild ones of all ages, that’s exactly what happened when Cryogenesis landed in my inbox. Touted as having a “signature sound that blends European melody with American grit.” I’m not entirely sure what that means, but I can tell you, whatever it is, it works.

Forming back in 2012 in the Melbourne five piece had only one other release to date with 2014’s EP Machina. Fast forward to 2017, that’s a long time between drinks but I have no doubt that for fans of Trigger, they’ll find out it’s worth the wait.

Cryogenesis is 10 tracks running at 53 minutes of some of the best metal that’s come out of Australia in recent memory. Kicking things off with a delve into Greek mythology ‘Upon The Forge of Hephaestus‘ Trigger delivers a brutal history lesson. Tim Leopold’s vocals have an almost Chuck Billy feel to them, powerful and guttural without descending into full death growl or unintelligible hardcore screams so many bands like to do lately. There’s growls, harmonies and an unmistakable dual guitar attack of Luke Ashley and Sean Solley.

Just as I was easing into what I thought was going to be a fairly straight forward thrash album the next track turned everything on its head. From the Testament like thrashiness of The Forge, ‘Dead Sun‘ one is full of groove and harmonies, Leopold’s voice seamlessly transitioning between smooth power and guttural brutality. It’s powerful and beautiful, showcasing the maturity and complexity of the band. Not to be out done the power of the band’s rhythm section Matt Ambrose and Tim Joyce thundering tones show what a seriously cohesive unit they are.

I’m going to resist the urge to break this album down track by track… to be perfectly honest I’d be here all day dribbling on about the nuances of this and the intricacies of that. There’s no real stand out track, each one is as good as the last. The album just seems to continuously build, right up until the final notes of ‘Veins of Ambrosia‘ fade making you want to listen to it all over again. Believe me I did, again, and again and again…

There’s a little something here for every metal fan. It’s a complex, well-crafted album with shades of dark and light. I never fail to be surprised by the production quality of some Australian releases, this one is no different – Chris Themelco at Monolith Studios take a bow. Cryogenesis stands up against anything produced in Europe, the UK or the US.

As I said earlier, I wasn’t sure what a mix of European melody and American grit was, but now I know. It’s five Australian metal heads who just crashed their way into my Top 10 releases of 2017.

Jump on this one people! It’s out on HellFire Records and is worth every cent (and a few dollars more)