The Universe Divide – Dust Settles On The Odontophobes
Posted on 23rd Jun 11 by Jonathan Keane | 
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“…But when one thing comes to an end, another begins to flourish…”
Earlier this year, the mighty Canvas Solaris parted ways, leaving behind an impressive body of work in the shape of five studio albums, all of which delighted in their frenzied, technical instrumental metal brilliance. But when one thing comes to an end, another begins to flourish.
The Universe Divide features former Canvas Solaris members, Chris Rushing (guitar) and Gaël Pirlot (bass) along with drummer, Jason Parker. The band is a mere three-piece, which says so much of their ability, considering the rapturous cacophony created in Dust Settles On The Odontophobes.
The EP instigates with a heady one-two in Cyclical Procession and Phi-Inverted, two tracks that made up the band’s previous demo. Here, they have been re-recorded and given a whole new flavour and edge, largely due to the unblemished and precise production.
Of Optimism-The Glass Vein treks through wild and frantic and twists and turns into the slower more cerebral end of the spectrum with Rushing’s dense guitar walls. The technical guitar mastery is of course the focal point of this EP but Pirlot provides consistently intricate, and ever meandering, basslines nestled beneath the riffs, creating a captivating complement.
Of Reality–The Lead Artery is the glorious centrepiece of this EP. The near-tribal influences that beckon its arrival give way to more lush, mesmerising fret bothering and spiralling lead guitar work that, simply put, is just amazing. Chris Rushing has more than proved himself as an immense guitarist through the years, even if he only truly reached our ears in 2008, but with The Universe Divide, begins a new chapter and the next stage of evolution for not just this ludicrously talented man, but all three.
Curator of the Seventh Automoton is the EP’s closer and brings the effort to a more than suitable close. The song encapsulates everything that makes Dust Settles On The Odontophobes such a riveting listen, from the intense atmosphere created to the angular, jarring riffs.
The only downside of Dust Settles… is that it is merely an EP, leaving behind an overwhelming craving for more. These five tracks should be swiftly followed up with a full-length album, one can hope anyway.
Drop-d Rating: 8/10
Tags: digital release, Downloads, tech metal, The Universe Divide