Cognitive are a death metal band from New Jersey who formed in 2011. Their latest album, "Abhorrence,” is their fifth full-length release. They also released an EP in 212.
Cognitive certainly has an interesting sound. Although rooted in death metal, they have modern deathcore elements as well, although much more well rounded and focused than most other bands that do the style. They are also technical but it's still very much riff based as opposed to the “widdly wham” type of tech death.
“Abhorrence,” is an album that lives within its dynamics and handles variety very well. Melody, technicality, breakdowns, chug-a-thons, groove and straight up brutality all find a place within the album’s ten songs. The energy is infectious and the pacing is perfect; there isn’t a second of filler. Every song fits into the album’s overall style but each one sets itself apart from the others in that there is little monotony to be found.
The vocals are just as engaging as the music. I’m not so wild about the cleans but they aren’t bad and are really just another testament to Shane’s abilities. Screams, gutturals, growls…this guy does it all and is constantly switching it up, often times being straight up visceral.
The most impressive aspect of the album is the synergy between each member. They exude a lot of confidence and know exactly what they need to do in the quest to prove their craft. Rob Wharton and Harry Lannon are two of the best guitar duos in the modern scene, easily. Tyler Capone-Vitale and Aj Viana are a true rhythmic power house. The band has gone through its fair share of line-up changes but I hope the current incarnation stays together for a long time.
The album opens with the title track and it is the soundtrack to being punched in the balls a thousand times. The guitars ebb and flow while the vocals just bust it out like there isn’t a tomorrow. The drums are insane during the chorus and from here the song just. Doesn’t. Stop. Machine-like precision but with a love for the genre drives the song ever forward but it’s the crushing riffs around the 2:22 that make it massive.
“A Pack Unholy,” hits the ground running at the top speed of “something evil is chasing me and I need to get the fuck out of here to live.” I love the groove and the rhythm is very strong, especially after the halfway mark where the band attempts to break through the sound barrier. And how about those high screams right there? Magnificent.
A blazing guitar solo erupts from the chaos in “As The Light Fades,” one of the best songs on the album. The song is quite atmospheric without succumbing to any of the tropes to make it so. The guitars provide deep deathcore riffs but suddenly switch gears at the drop of the hat. The clean tones near the last quarter of the song fit in with the atmosphere and are a clever addition to the song. The solo that comes from it is stunning and surprisingly beautiful.
Nearly the exact opposite is “Containment Breach,” which is a three minute ode to everything that makes death metal so great. It is definitely one of the heavier and more intense songs on the album, which says a lot.
“Rorshach,” is another one of my favorites on the album. The beginning and end are riff fests and chaos incarnate but the song gets truly special at the 2:56 mark as the melody creeps in. The clean rhythm behind the solo make for an emotive combination and I find it to be one of the highlights on the album.
The final song, “Cold Dead Hands,” ends the album on the same explosive note as it began, bringing it all full circle and capping it off nice and tight.
I’ve been seeing people compare this to Cattle Decapitation but this is better than anything that band has done in years. With “Abhorrence,” Cognitive has manage to craft a searing death metal album with a modern edge without losing any of the genre's potency.
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