Encephalon – Automaton All Along (Digital/CD Album – Artoffact Records)
Canadian band Encephalon released their fifth album this year, continuing to draw inspiration from existential themes, which they’ve transformed into ten compelling tracks.
More than ever before, Encephalon embraces a kind of ‘freestyle’ approach, rooted in Dark-Electro, EBM, and Industrial guitar power. They skillfully blend these foundations with explicit Cinematic elements and even touches of D’n’B, resulting in an extremely eclectic album that could easily serve as a Soundtrack for a sci-fi film.
The vocal production is equally diverse—ranging from rough and robotic textures to clean, articulate deliveries. Diversity runs like a red thread throughout the album, though I personally gravitate toward the more Electro-oriented tracks. One thing is certain: Encephalon possesses both the talent and precision to execute their vision down to the finest detail. (Rating:7½).
Listen to “Synthskin6d”:
About Encephalon
Encephalon was formed in 2005 in Ottawa, Canada, by Alis Alias, Matt Gifford, and Sam Mainer. The trio self-released a number of demos before Artoffact Records picked up the project for its debut album, “The Transhuman Condition” (2011), followed by “Psychogenesis” (2015) and “We Only Love You When You’re Dead” (2017).
In 2022, the band returned with its fourth album, “Echoes”, issued as a limited deluxe double-CD with a bonus disc, “Surfacer”, collecting early demos and outtakes. “Automaton All Along” now follows as Encephalon’s fifth full-length, again released through Artoffact Records.
I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.
Since you’re here …
… we have a small favour to ask. More people are reading Side-Line Magazine than ever but advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news organisations, we haven’t put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as open as we can - and we refuse to add annoying advertising. So you can see why we need to ask for your help.
Side-Line’s independent journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we want to push the artists we like and who are equally fighting to survive.
If everyone who reads our reporting, who likes it, helps fund it, our future would be much more secure. For as little as 5 US$, you can support Side-Line Magazine – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.
The donations are safely powered by Paypal.
