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Retconstruct: Denizens of the Depths
Retconstruct Denizens of the Depths CD Album Review

Retconstruct: Denizens of the Depths

Some Kind of Modern Metal
1.5/5.0

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Pavement Entertainment
Words by Craig Hartranft,  11.06.2014

Do you have an hour of time to kill? I mean brutally and unmercifully beat down and murder. Then pick up a copy of Retconstruct's latest onslaught of some kind of modern metal, Denizens of the Depths to assault your ears and mind.

Retconstruct Denizens of the Depths Band Photo

Retconstruct: with spiked hair.

There are so many things about this band and album that are simply strange and unappealing. Not the least of which is the explanation of their name. RetConStruct, more properly rendered by the band, is the abbreviation for Retroactive Continuity Construct. What the hell? Next they describe their metal in many ways like 'melodic metal and cinematic soundscapes.' Okay, there is some melody, I'll give them that. But cinematic? That's a stretch. Then they call their sound 'grinding symphonic metal'. Grinding? I'll comeback to that. But there's largely nothing symphonic about Denizens of the Depths. Then to look at them, your first guess is that Reconstruct is come kind of goth metal band.

Grinding is an apt description in a most overarching way. This music will grind you down unmercifully until either your brains become putty and you become a zombie, or you simply turn it off as soon as you can. The guitars are scratchy, like a worn needle playing on an abused vinyl record, screechy, and somewhere between whiney and piercing at the same time. The drums gravitate between sounding like mix of kitchen kettles and electronic drums and actual authentic drums. Most times it's the latter, with an overall staccato delivery. The female vocals are generally muted across the album with undecipherable lyrics. The vocalist seems to be going after something akin to spooky and mysterious incantations. Mostly, the music of Denizens of the Depths goes everywhere and nowhere, droning on like a cacophony of misdirection. I can safely say, and this is a first, that I did not find a single song enjoyable on this entire album.

I wish I had that hour back (now two as I had to listen to it again to write this withering review). I rarely have advised people to avoid an album, once I think, but I urge you to approach with caution. Then again you may like it. Listen to the preview below.


Retconstruct - Denizens of the Depths - Album Preview





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In Short

Mostly, the music of Denizens of the Depths goes everywhere and nowhere, droning on like a cacophony of misdirection. I can safely say, and this is a first, that I did not find a single song enjoyable on this entire album.

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