In a musical world shaped by iconic decades of evolving technology, techniques, and styles, innovation can be a daunting challenge. At The Rock Review, we applaud bands that dare to push boundaries and challenge existing norms.
Today, we spotlight Outer Isolation, the second studio album from Philadelphia-based Vektor, led by David DiSanto. This masterpiece of technical Thrash Metal showcases exceptional quality, creativity, and years of dedication. Despite having only three albums to date (as of November 24, 2024), Vektor’s discography is a testament to relentless artistic effort.
What can we listen to?
Complexity, speed, and tireless dedication. Every second of Outer Isolation could be analyzed in detail in every sense. Vektor presents a style where we hear Thrash influences from bands like Slayer, combined with the creativity of the progressive passages from Death’s later albums, including Symbolic (1995), with a vocal style that undoubtedly draws inspiration from this work.
Outer Isolation offers a sound that could be described as futuristic, employing countless advanced techniques across all instruments. Together, these create songs with progressive structures, rapidly shifting tempos, evoking brutality and an atmospheric soundscape that makes us feel like we’re in outer space amidst an ongoing war—perfectly depicted in the album cover.
This album can be as melodic as “Echoless Chamber” or as complex as “Fast Paced Society,” where Vektor dares to explore atonal passages. The unpredictability of the tracks surprises the listener with perfect musical development that demands a high level of study and practice.
Outer Isolation: A modern metal gem
Through this disruptive approach, Vektor establishes that there is still much to explore within extreme genres, utilizing various resources from different subgenres. One notable element is the use of clean guitar arpeggios, as heard in the intro of “Cosmic Cortex,” which places the listener in an “unknown” realm, allowing for dynamic expression.
The precision of every track is flawless, likely achieved through quantized editing, as this genre mix would have been challenging to replicate 30 years ago. The drums follow every measure perfectly, executing blast beats reminiscent of Death Metal, complemented by a bass that shines in its higher frequencies when the arrangements permit. With a muted tone reminiscent of Steve DiGiorgio from Death or Testament, the bass often sounds fretless.
This album’s innovation lies in merging Thrash Metal with guttural vocals. Tracks like “Tetrastructural Minds” evoke Tom Araya’s iconic Slayer scream, empowering the genre and openly acknowledging this legendary band’s influence.
Vektor and Their Pursuit of Perfection
The album closes masterfully with its eponymous track “Outer Isolation,” an 8:27-minute masterpiece. This song encapsulates elements from earlier tracks while delivering a unique intensity, showcasing David DiSanto’s raw vocal power. It leaves listeners eager for what came next—the monumental Terminal Redux (2016).
Outer Isolation is a hidden gem, best experienced with high-quality audio equipment for full appreciation.
The Rock Review salutes Vektor for their innovative and distinct sound, deserving of greater recognition.
What are your thoughts? Share them with us!
