Review of Third Ion - "Biolith"

FILE UNDER: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

By: Geoff Teach

Canada’s vast lands have spawned a multitude of compelling progressive acts over the decades, including Into Eternity, Martyr, and the unparalleled Rush, among many others. Recently, former members of Canadian acts such as Devin Townsend Band, Annihilator, and the aforementioned Into Eternity merged to form a progressive metal outfit based on a mutual love for science and technology – specifically video games – known as Third Ion; and although you most likely have not yet heard of this emergent conglomeration, on July 8th, 2016, the release of their second full-length Biolith (Glasstone Records) might just change all of that.

To wit, Third Ion’s Biolith is pure prog poetry delivered in a sonic medium. Rich, intricate, and spectacularly produced (with special emphasis placed upon the remarkable vocal talents of newcomer Dave Padden), Biolith is fast becoming one of my top albums of this already jaw-dropping year in international metal releases. This album has everything a prog-lover could ask for: sensational vocals, brilliantly structured compositions, trippy interludes, and enough mind-bending math metal to satisfy even the most discerning and riff-hungry of appetites.

Starting Biolith off with an amazing bang, “State of Flux” sets the tone for the rest of the album with its nine minutes of accomplished musicianship, fluctuating alternations, and catchy choruses. Venturing further in, meandering metal offerings like the title track “Biolith” (my favorite), “Illogical”, “Lessons Burned”, and “Temporal Divide” stand out as the most memorable selections; and considering that this paragraph mentions five out of the eight tracks that comprise Biolith (and two of the remaining three unmentioned songs are quiescent interludes), I can safely say that this entire offering from Third Ion is astonishingly breathtaking. Preorder your copy from www.thirdion.com today!

To check out "Cosmic Delusion" off of Biolith, just press play below!