Technologist – Reborn
Technologist – Reborn
Independent Release
01/08/2025
Review by Oli Gonzalez
9/10
Good things come to those who wait, right? Well we’ve waited a VERY long time for this, the debut album by Manchester Progressive Metal act Technologist. A band who have crafted a serious following in the Manchester area since their live debut in January 2022, owing to their solid live performances. Performances that lead them to the region’s Metal To The Masses final this year (following two previous semi final appearances). Quite a remarkable feat considering they’ve not released any music at all! But now that time has come. And this is their debut “Reborn”.
If they’ve spent the last 3 years or so crafting the guitar tones, then that was time very well spent indeed! Genuinely, try to listen to ‘Deception’ without your jaw hitting the floor at Eddie’s blazing lead solos on this track. If you can, then maybe it’s because you’re too busy head banging to the sickeningly tight and heavy as hell rhythm section!
It’s clear to see how much work they’ve put into the production for the album’s title track ‘Reborn’, and ‘Brothers’, and the album as a whole. It goes way beyond a standard single track recording for each instrument that you usually see from self releases. If I remember correctly, vocalist Andrew reported around 140 single tracks had been used for ‘Reborn’. That depth and quality in the overall sound is clear to see and could give major record labels a challenge. Remarkable considering how this was essentially a home studio recording! The challenge though; how to replicate this depth in a live setting (the deployment of backing tracks maybe?).
Having seen the band live multiple times, ‘Embers’ is the one I’m least familiar with on this record. That just means I’ve uncovered another gem and reaffirms Technologist as a gift that keeps on giving. The song feels a bit more minimalist in terms of its overall structure, though this gives each member an opportunity to showcase their individual musical prowess. Craig and Phil hold down the rhythm section with merciless precision, providing the platform for Eddie and Josh to express themselves fully with their guitars, while vocalist Andrew demonstrates his soaring and infectious cleans in the choruses, with a seemingly effortless switch to demonic growls. 8 minutes and 50 seconds flies by quicker than 8 minutes and 50 seconds should!
Throughout the album, you’ll see a lyrical theme, those that tackle the over-mining of the earth’s natural resources and other associated environmental issues. This is delivered in a not-so-subtle yet poetic manner during ‘Purge The Earth’, with the lyrics:
“After the eons of man’s exploitation, draining the blood of the earth, without remorse'” .
Some sobering thoughts there, right? Musically, ‘Purge The Earth’ will pull you in multiple directions and is a testament to the band’s creative and compositional genius. A nice blend of chugging rhythmic grooves and calmer more ambient sections employed to build tension before leading you towards what is an uncompromising juggernaut of a crescendo! Just like being dragged into a maelstrom, you know your fate is sealed but there’s no escape from this. All before finishing you off with another visceral wave towards the end. This is the crown jewel of the album, and the one I would direct anybody towards when telling them about the band…
…because believe me, I’ve mentioned the band multiple times to people but have never been able to share a YouTube or Spotify link to their recorded material. But now I can! Technologist, you kept us waiting, but my god it was worth it! “Reborn” is a major statement that the band has now arrived and are here to be taken seriously, punching above its weight for an independent release.
TRACKLISTING:
- Reborn
- Deception
- Brothers
- Purge The Earth
- Embers
LINKS:
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