Jesusfreakhideout.com: GOD, "VI Unbelief" Review

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GOD
VI Unbelief

Street Date: January 1, 2024
Style: Post-Metal / Rock
Buy It: AmazonMP3

For all the talk and love for the mystery that surrounds anonymous bands like Demon Hunter and Slipknot were at one time, and more recently Sleep Token is, I am surprised that the provocatively titled band GOD hasn't generated more interest. I mean, who doesn't like a bit of mystery? That's exactly what you get in the shrouded anonymity of this post-metal outfit. The music itself does little to shed light about who is behind the wall of sound, while it effortlessly weaves in and out of genre mid-song. This results in every song on Unbelief having its own unique feel, sound, production, and aesthetic. It also makes the overall cohesion of the EP the special thing it is, as it adds to the overall harmony and story even without the aid of lyrical content. Building on their mission to have each of us consider God, as well as our life and death through the power of music, the band offers the EP, Unbelief.

Sonically, this reminds me of a bridge stretching across the gulf that separates 'progressive metal' and 'math rock'. Interestingly enough, I hear shades of Animals as Leaders, Dream Theater, Invent Animate, and Caspian spread throughout the four-song, twenty-one-minute EP. The technical instrumentation is off the charts, at one moment djent dominate riffs that out of nowhere drop into death metal inspired blast beats and near breakdown. Opening with "Free Will - Part II" (nearly every song title I found on previous albums dealt with something of theological significance), the EP hits loud and fast. It's a strange dichotomy to the ambience that floats just under the surface of the aggressive riffs that dominate much of what we see here (and permeates every other track as well). It's a smart parsing of emotion that drives the backbone of specifically "Sovereign" and adds layers to the instrumentation that wait to be discovered on repeated listens. Rounding out the EP is "Unbelief - Part II," which impressively, per the band, is the entire song "Unbelief I" (off the previous album Sin) dissected note for note, hit for hit from the end of the song to the beginning. It's this attention to detail and experimentation that goes a long way to leaving the listener feeling like they have experienced something special here and making each listen a new experience.

This whole EP is a vibe as an instrumental work that says a ton without a single word being uttered. The grooves snake their way into your brain and had me breaking out a fiery air guitar while playing loud in my car. Fans of post-metal/rock would do well to jump on the bandwagon, if not for the meticulous story being woven throughout each release, then for the technical instrumentation and artful atmosphere that are forefront of the band's musical prowess. Eight releases in and a promised twenty-five to go, it's about time this excellent instrumental band begins to receive some recognition.

- Review date: 1/19/24, written by Matt Baldwin of Jesusfreakhideout.com

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