Artist: Encephalon
Album: The Transhuman Condition
Label: Artoffact Records
Review by: Adrian Onsen (aka Outsider)

Lately Canada has been putting out a lot of excellent industrial music. Encephalon is no exception. After their debut album in 2009 Drowner, most sat patiently and waited for the day another album would get released.

I have to admit I was waiting for this album to come out for a while, and with most thing you await, expectations develop. You know the feeling. Sometimes you are disappointed, and others you are pleased.
I was blown away after the first listen; and with each listen I get more impressed with this album. Everything is so well put together; the production is tight, the vocals rock and soundscape is diverse.

Musically the album is a cornucopia of brilliantly constructed and executed sounds. Make no mistake, through and through “The Transhuman Condition” is consistently dark and melodic (which I love), at times hitting with heavy beats and at times minimally acoustic.
The acoustic element is solidly executed and mixed throughout this album. Acoustic guitars, violins and pianos are melded seamlessly with electronic base lines, pounding beats and screaming synths. The range of sounds from track to track is refreshing and a departure from other band’s “one sound” through out the whole album, feel.

Matt Gifford’s wide vocal range can’t be ignored and it permeates this album which is partly what gives each track a unique feel. For the most part the vocals are free of heavy distortion and showcase Matt’s ability as a vocalist. It’s refreshing to hear clean vocals alongside heavy beats.

To say this album is an auditory delight would be an understatement.
Well done Encephalon.

Buy Encephalon’s The Transhuman Condition on Amazon Mp3 or Amazon CD or from Storming The Base.