Estimated reading time: 2 minute(s)

★★☆☆ The band’s sophomore album is a big improvement over their messy, gimmicky debut. The stink of derivativeness, while not entirely gone, is much less noticeable. What you have here instead is a cleaner slab of unsubtle aggression, clearly inspired by Meshuggah, Machine Head, and Slipknot. The vocals are screamier than before (which is a good thing), and the interesting riffage get downright nasty at times. There’s more filler than I’d like on this album (I’m looking at you, last three tracks), and otherwise the meat and potatoes does lack memorability, but all in all this is a step in the right direction.

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