Continuum are a technical death metal band from the US, and this is their second album.
Featuring current and ex-members of bands such as Decrepit Birth, Scour, Deeds of Flesh, Arkaik, Allegaeon, Inanimate Existence, Pathology, and Rings of Saturn, before even listening to Designed Obsolescence you know that there’s a wealth of extreme metal experience that’s gone into its forging.
Although the band have laced some progressive elements into their violent tapestry, this is essentially 32 minutes of ultra-technical, thoroughly brutal extremity. It’s as effective and well-delivered as you’d expect from the calibre of the musicians involved.
Continuum serve up a relentless assault on the senses, but not a purely blast beat-based approach. Within the technical death metal they offer up lies a good amount of variety in mood and pace, and the songs are well-written and well-realised.
Sharp rhythms and leads fly around like airborne predators, and the combination of meaty riffs and scything melodies is very enjoyably balanced. The mix of speed and mid-paced aggression is well-balanced, and the songs are satisfyingly pieced together.
If you’re a fan of this type of modern technicality then Designed Obsolescence is easily-digested and well worth your time. Give it a listen.
Wonderbox Metal 