Released on: January 16th 2019
Easy listening this ain’t but neither is it hard to get into. Toronto based CNTRL describe themselves as Horror, Sci-Fi, Space Opera but Groove Metal which is encapsulated into an acronym doesn’t spell CNTRL at all. It, like that incredibly shallow group think propaganda poster “I’m in CNTRL: C – Groove metal. N – Horror. T – Sci-Fi. R – Fucking between bulk heads. L – Death metal,” isn’t really about naming conventions. It’s about upsetting the masses with cultural dissonance and for that CNTRL get an Aye.
An aye for an Aye and this first outing from the Canadians metallers is absolutely sublime. It’s satisfying as both an atmospheric romp with devilish mood swings and a tasteful composition of metallic shreds and glorious riffs. Pair that with some impromptu industrial components and other dissonance and, well, your ..ation [See: Rocky Horror Picture Show] drive will, with no quibbles, be fully satisfied.
You need not wait for this one however as it delivers on so many different levels. At its core Arrival is a fully realized death metal album in the style of the old Gothenburg sound. Relying on talent and skill rather than populism.
This album manages to strike more chords than most, if not all, of the For Fans Of… e-buskers. Having a genuine rhythm tailored to accommodate more than just speed and aggression in a melodious cacophony.
CNTRL are honest to Goth mighty balladeers with an extremely diabolical side that given enough exposure could ignite the world in a preternatural blaze. As Arrival fires on all gaskets this is the vehicle for a group of incredibly talented and inspired musicians. The only thing missing out of the acronym is Avant-Garde as this is true way forward metal.
9/10
