DISFIGURING REALITY

It is a strange feeling to see someone you went to elementary school with go on to form a progressive metal project. But this has been my experience; Disfiguring Reality is a growing local band fronted by technical guitarist Matt Watson, someone I have known for over a decade now and counting. Although Disfiguring Reality has now involved into a full-fledged band, the 2011 debut 'Becoming The Spiral' is an ordeal orchestrated by Matt alone, from a home studio no less. Taking the breakthrough style of progressive metal known as 'djent' (a highly rhythmically complex and technical scene inspired by Meshuggah), Disfiguring Reality creates a piece of work here that sounds surprisingly professional, and viciously technical. Although the first few listens are sure to blow the mind of almost any metalhead or guitarist into the particular style however, Disfiguring Reality's debut does give the impression by the end that much more variety would have been needed for a more successful record.

Based on skill and technicality alone, Matt Watson is a surefire winner with this one. The chugging rhythm section is kept polished and sharp throughout, and is constantly throwing polyrhythms around like someone might flip a cheeseburger. The lead sections here manage to even topple the chords, giving intricate and sweeping leads that are testament to his talent. When drawing comparisons, Disfiguring Reality seems close in format to Tosin Abasi with Animals As Leaders; a single guitarist creating complex metal on his own. In terms of more direct style however, Watson is clearly a dedicated apostle to Fredrik Thordendal, the guitarist of Meshuggah. Everything from the way he voices his solos, to where he places them in the songs, to the tone of the instrument screams Thordendal, and it is this sheer derivation from Meshuggah's work that really holds Disfiguring Reality down.

The opening track 'Laundry Day' is without a doubt, the greatest offering that 'Becoming The Spiral' has to offer, representing every strength about this album and more. While most tracks here generally narrow down to an unrelenting heaviness, this particular track really impresses me for its restraint in parts, which makes the heavy sections even greater. Everything is performed incredibly, and the drum machine here has been programmed with skill. But even a couple of songs in, the shock begins to wear off and the music starts sounding rather looped. On the grounds of personal taste, I do not find 'djent' to really fit with me well, but even as an outsider to the sound, I can identify talent and- most of all- potential when I hear it.