Kardashev â Alunea Review
By Carcharodon
Kardashevâs return has been the most eagerly anticipated in a year, and so far, it has been full of returning favorites. Since I discovered their stunning 2020 EP, The Baring of Shadows, theyâve been a firm favorite. Their progressive, blackened âdeathgazeâ was both haunting and beautiful in its ferociously emotive stylings. Although 2022âs Liminal Rite suffered a bit from its production, that didnât stop me awarding it a 4.5 and placing it at #5 on my end-of-year List, both decisions that I stand by. Upping their progressive tendencies and leaning into longer form storytelling, I hoped the Arizonan quartet would carve their own little niche just a little deeper on fourth full-length, Alunea. Three years in the making, and picking up a tale they began on 2017âs The Almanac, can Kardashev possibly match what they achieved on Liminal Rite?
As Alunea opens on âA Precipice. A Door,â itâs immediately and unmistakably Kardashev. From the swelling wash of synths, through which Mark Garrettâs crystalline cleans and Nico Mirollaâs precise guitar lines slowly surface, to the propulsive, deftly progressive drum work by Sean Lang, I felt like I was on familiar ground. However, as Alunea progresses, itâs clear that the bandâs journey is taking them in a subtly new direction. Dubbed as âdeathgazeâ from an early stage in their career, much of the âgazeâ is now gone, with the band focusing on progressive, and even technical, death metal, recalling the likes of Fallujah and Aronious (parts of âReunionâ and âTruth to Formâ). Garrett, whom Iâve lauded as one of metalâs most versatile vocalists, rampages through the albumâs heavier passages, rasping, snarling, and growling like a man possessed. However, this juts up against fragile, stripped-back melodic passages, which see his soaring cleans, replete with powerful sustains set to rising guitar melodies and Alex Riethâs liquid bass groove.
At an hour long, Liminal Rite risked faltering under its own weight. The fact that Kardashev reined in this tendency, keeping Alunea to a tight 43 minutes, despite the bandâs deeper forays into progressive metal, does them credit. However, the compositions here donât hold a candle to Liminal Rite or The Baring of Shadows. Meandering, often lacking an obviously discernible structure, Kardashev packed so many ideas in that itâs actually disorienting as tracks lurch unpredictably between frantic techy heaviness, extended melodic passages, or both. At its best, Alunea pulls this off. Lead single âReunion,â probably closest in tone to earlier Kardashev, is great, while âSeed of the Nightâ and âWe Could Fold the Starsâ both showcase what I think Kardashev aimed for throughout: vicious heaviness, borrowing from both post-black and tech death, to create something harsh and crushing, but also complex. This is then played off against soft, but deceptively involved, melodic passages. While there are flashes of brilliance elsewhere (the back end of âSpeak Silence,â which sees guest vocals from Genital Shameâs Erin Dawson being one), much of it falls short.
Too often, Alunea feels like Kardashev exploring partly formed ideas, leaping between them, without taking the time to either fully flesh out what theyâve written or consider logical sequencing. The skill of the musicians involved prevents the record from descending into the chaos it could have been in less capable hands, with transitions smooth, and the musicianship still top tier. But, whether itâs the confused âTruth to Formâ or âEdge of Forever,â which simply runs out of energy and ideas around the halfway mark, Alunea lacks both bite and incisiveness. Garrett, so often the bandâs MVP, is also clearly trying to further expand his already huge versatility. While his death growls and snarling, blackened rasp remain on point, and his cleans are as gorgeous as ever, he often leans into a heavily distorted bark, which sounds slightly forced and lacking in power. Kardashev did at least learn from the production errors made on Liminal Rite, with Aluneaâs soundstage more expansive and the guitars just about in the right place in the mix, likely the work of new engineer Zack Ohren (taking over from Mirolla).
Penning this review of Kardashevâs latest outing has given me even less pleasure than Alunea itself. I was so disappointed by the first few spins that I had to leave it completely alone for a week before returning fresh. Rose-tinted spectacles duly crushed underfoot, I started to see some of Aluneaâs qualities (âReunion,â Seed of the Nightâ and âWe Could Fold that Starsâ) but its key shortcoming came into focus also: it lacks structures, which guide the listener through the journey Kardashev want to take you on. They did this very effectively on Liminal Rite, but, in cutting length, they also lost clarity in the songwriting. Alunea has many strong building blocks, but they have been stacked at overly jaunty angles.
Rating: 2.5/5.0
DR: 5 | Format Reviewed: 256 kbps mp3
Label: Metal Blade Records
Websites: kardashev.bandcamp.com | kardashevband.com | facebook.com/Kardashevband
Releases Worldwide: April 25th, 2025
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