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.
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