Born of Osiris | The Simulation | Album Review

Sumerian Records
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Born of Osiris released an eight-song album called The Simulation that’s worth a shot.

The band notes in their online bio that they’re influenced by “‘Simulation Theory,’” the evident inspiration for their new album. From their debut album, The New Reign, in 2007 to today, the group has grounded themselves firmly within the hardcore and metal music scene.

The instrumentals in this album do not solely rely on guitar and drums but incorporate a synthesizer to add an electronic layer. While some songs heavily rely on electronic sounds, others fit better within the screamo genre such as “Disconectome,” which contains fast and well-executed riffs that seem to meld together with the underlying drums, making it cohesive.

Ronnie Canizaro’s voice doesn’t have any really unique qualities to it; it just sounds like average screaming. In “Cycles of Tragedy,” Canizaro’s voice overtakes the intricate instrumentals in almost all parts except for the chorus, forming a divide between the two.

The lyrics throughout the album are representative of poetry. No apparent story surfaces in these lyrics but rather a description of feelings and events that have taken place as heard in “One Without the Other,” concerning the loss of his brother: “Can I carry on? / Life seems to keep scaring me. / Without my brother I’m so lost and faced with insecurity.”

Another example of imagery comes forward in “The Accursed,” as they state, “I remembered a thought in the eye of a storm. / A pressure an instant the stability worn. / Treading in the wake what do I deserve. / Capture a glimpse until I’m overturned.”

While the vocals don’t always match the instrumentals and create a cohesive whole, the music isn’t bad. This band thrives with their intricate backgrounds.