Short Reviews [Meristem - 2020 - "Dark Phase"]

I do not get sent nearly as much music from Hungary as I used to some 20 years ago, but there is still very much a vibrant scene over there as can be heard in the latest EP from Bence Barkoczi, who goes by the name Meristem. This is the third release from the instrumental guitarist, and for this one he has been joined by drummer Adam Marko (Special Providence, Useme, Cloud 9+) and bassist Soma Schiszler (AWS), and they were all so pleased with the end result that they have now formed a live band. Some keyboards and synths are involved at times, but it is just to allow Bence to have additional melody to play against, and he always front and centre, although Soma is also adept at playing counter melodies and harmonies while Adam pushes different rhythmic attacks and patterns. There is a great deal of space within the album, and while Animals as Leaders are an obvious influence, it would also be fair to say that Meshuggah and System of a Down have also had their part to play in the development of their sound. This is instrumental progressive metal which pushes time signatures and keys, often with a staccato and even djent approach, creating something which is straddling boundaries of different styles of music., Although there are times when it all becomes very pleasant and more laid back, something always comes in to take that contrast as a base and turn it into something quite different indeed. Dramatic and compelling, this is a very interesting 35-minute-long release, broken into 7 songs, with a solid style throughout yet each number being very different indeed. This is available in Bandcamp for those who enjoy instrumental guitar-led progressive rock and are keen to have something that many others will not.