Veil of Maya - Eclipse review

Year : 2012
Genre : Deathcore with myriad extreme affections
Label : Sumerian Records
Origin : United States
Rating : 8.2 / 10

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Veil of Maya's Eclipse LP is a deathcore album with much more pronounced ingredients of (technical)death metal present on it than profound leanings towards the easily accessible pseudo-melodic nature of metalcore. The contribution clocks in at 28 minutes, which really does not seem to be all that much sonic meat for a full length, yet the intensity and the kind of variation the disc presents itself along, still gives you a lot to soak some ears into. In fact, this relatively shorter program time is serving justice to the character of the LP, as the epitome of slow tempo is pretty much unknown to this one.

Eclipse, in my opinion is prone-, even enthusiastic to summon vibes quite akin to those that are frequent invitees on a set of earlier records I suspect have influenced the members of the band in recent days. For example, second track of this album, called "Divide Path" in my opinion sports parts that are quite reminiscent at heart - yet definitely not a ripoff of - to Obscura's Vortex Omnivium, while Veil of Maya equally is capable and efficient at revealing fragmented dosages of a groove metal language which sounds like a robotic/cybernetic version of Lamb of God's-, or Pantera's intense side of grooving. As such, the mere charisma power of these segments tend to kick all kinds of asses, regardless how they are obviously arranged on a computer. A focal beneficiary trait of the release is the fact that it is not afraid to chase and speak a technical death metal language even when its flow at the core is defined and directed along the oh, so proven paths of emo metalcore. Guys, let's talk about the music.


Eclipse really packs more of efficiency and charm than alibi content, and the latter almost always disguises its relative lack of musical surprise power with easily accessible harmonic passages that fail to do anything at all with a proper set of snob ears. The titular track of the LP, for example, is the contribution of a retirement home Dream Theater-tribute band.

What I especially am content with on this release, is its much more frequent insatiable urge to serve your receptors out with avid variation whenever you find the flow of things on peak efficiency. As just noted, these segments are much more persistent and evident on the delivery. The tendency to compliment the trademark ingredients of sibling-extremities is notable, and a pleasure to behold. Track number 3, called "Punisher", for example : the rabid-ass djenting that starts out from 0:45 is quick to fix you into a wall, not relenting until it brought it down with your body. I dare say that the metalcore leanings and hooks of the delivery ARE pretty good ones, too. I admit I can't make two consecutive words out of what is being sang, but I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with the "girl, you left me, you have risen a monster in me, now look what you have done, is this what you wanted??" rubberpussy-rhetorics.

Concluding track "With Passion and Power" is a great example of the exquisitely varied sonic content that is the defining factor of the LP : the track efficiently bends to the rampant will of myriad extreme subgenres of metal without losing its dignity, coming up with nothing else than pure entertainment factor, and THAT is sufficient. Awesome four minutes of 28 that truly do have anything to be ashamed of or to hide. My only caveat is the abrupt decision of the band to conclude the last song via fading the volume out in the middle of a soul swallower Blut Aus Nord riff, what the hell?? Ah, JUST that. This is a dangling modifier : "I admire your mom in stockings". Check out my song Apocalypse Factory or don't. All in all, Veil of Maya - Eclipse is not only approved, but it also is highly recommended.

Rating : 8.2 / 10

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