Eximperituserqethhzebibšiptugakkathšulweliarzaxułum – A Review of the Meritoriousness of Equanimity
The Name Game: A Challenge for the Brave
Let's be honest, the name Eximperituserqethhzebibšiptugakkathšulweliarzaxułum is a mouthful. But that's not the point. This Belarusian tech death band dares to challenge not just SEO integrity, but also the sanity of its listeners. And they succeed, because if you manage to pronounce it, you've unlocked a portal to an unfathomable universe of hellish delights. So, let's dive into the Meritoriousness of Equanimity and explore what makes this album so unique.
A Refinement of Sound
In my previous review of Eximperitus' Šahrartu, I praised their evolution from a rough and jagged debut to a more refined sound. This new album continues that trajectory, tightening and streamlining the band's signature Nile-meets-Necrophagist-meets-chainsaw sound. The trippy psychedelic twist from Šahrartu remains intact, deeply embedded within the riffs, leads, and solos of Meritoriousness.
Technicality as a Vehicle
Eximperitus views technicality as a tool for exploration. They experiment with bizarre guitar techniques, creating bonkers effects and allowing for incredible density within a relaxed framework. This approach invites freaky percussion antics, resulting in a more straightforward album with a total runtime of 31 minutes and an average song length of under 5 minutes per track.
Attention to Detail
One of the things I appreciate most about Eximperitus is their commitment to detail. Even in their simplest compositions, like 'The Untimely Fruit of the Undead' and 'Chalkionic Wandering Among the Wreckage of the Future', brilliant little details like a popping clang of bass strings or a leisurely scrape across a fretboard continually focus and intensify my attention.
A Brutal Hook
Meritoriousness' unorthodox opening makes for a brutal hook. 'One Step Long Infinity' riffs with great speed directly into a lumbering, chunky pound, introducing 'Contemplation of the Plastic Fibers of Perfection at the Second Level of Reality' without ceremony. The band impresses with a wide gamut of riffs, distinguished and elevated by dueling plucks that ping pong out of deep trembles across 'Contemplation…' and 'Golden Chains for the Construction of Individual Greatness'.
A Rich, Layered Experience
The album is a rich, layered, and rewarding experience. Repeat spins deepen the sense of reward, but also reveal a glaring omission: a climax. While many tracks boast big standout moments and spine-tingling passages, I know the level of epic high that Eximperitus are capable of creating, and it's the one thing I miss here.
A Worthy Successor
Meritoriousness of Equanimity is a worthy successor to Šahrartu, lacking only a showstopper to secure its unrelenting takeover of my listening rotation. For those who don't mind, it steals you from this mortal coil with disturbing ease. So, if you're up for the challenge, give it a listen and explore the unfathomable universe of hellish delights that Eximperitus has created.
