Review of Gorod - "A Maze of Recycled Creeds"

MID-MAJOR MAYHEM

By: Geoff Teach

Although appearing on the roster of the predominantly tech-death label, Unique Leader Records, Bordeaux, France’s Gorod stand out distinctly as a progressive death act – and yes, there is a major difference. A couple weeks ago, the French quintet released A Maze of Recycle Creeds, and after dazzling ears around the globe with 2013’s A Perfect Absolution, Gorod is picking up right where they left off by dropping this new, breathtaking effort in 2015.

Honed with the precision and care of a samurai’s blade, A Maze of Recycled Creeds is Gorod’s magnum opus – a masterpiece of musical craftsmanship, in the palette of sheer brutality, blended with broad brushstrokes of jazzy, funky grooviness that bewitch the mind and ensnare the imagination. Honestly, I’ve never heard anything like Gorod’s individual concoction of extreme death and progressive jazz; it is truly innovative and exciting.

After a short, introductory instrumental ditty, A Maze of Recycled Creeds begins brusquely with “Temple to the Art-God”, and right away, Gorod’s amalgamation of genres is easily heard and instantly enjoyable. Following “Art-God”, the next three tracks are some of the finest on the eleven song album: “Celestial Nature” has a delicious, biting groove, “Inner Alchemy” worms its way into your ear nicely, and the riffs and rhythm of “The Mystic Triad of Artistry” (my favorite on the release) attach themselves to your soul and never let go. Moving into the back half of A Maze of Recycle Creeds, some of the highlights include “Dig Into Yourself”, “Rejoice Your Soul”, and “Syncretic Delirium”, which closes out the album in stunning fashion with its driving technicality and proggy jam-out conclusion.

I am pleased and astounded by Gorod’s A Maze of Recycled Creeds, and I can say with certainty that this album is one of the best releases of 2015, if not the best. Do not hesitate to purchase this excellent release by any means possible, especially if you enjoy your metal unique, creative, and cunningly brutal.

Keep it Metal! \m/

To listen to “The Mystic Triad of Artistry” from A Maze of Recycle Creeds, just press play below!