A Greek Techno-Thrash Metal. On March 1st, 2022, the band released their independent debut studio album, Vertex. Backbone is the Brainchild of Peter Krk and features one of the fruits of art female metal drummers, Eleni Nota (ex-Nervosa, Ankor, etc.)
Introduction:
Backbone, Vertex: This review will evaluate every aspect of the album, from its intricate musical composition to its production. Our analysis will provide valuable insights to help you determine if this album is worth adding to your collection.
The First Three Sins of Vertex
Let’s start by discussing the first three sins of Backbone and their Vertex album.
The First Sin, The Strings/Keys: Features intense progressive riffage/shreds with a rhythmic flow, and winter-demon bass riffs. The Second Sin, The Vocals: Involve a mixture of cold snarls and low growls. The Third Sin—The Percussions: This delves into the vast world of complete arsenal battering of the drums/blast beats.
The Fourth Sin: Overall Discussion: Features thrash metal with an intricate electro soundscape.
As soon as the listener hits the play button, they are transported to a mesmerizing auditory experience with the opening piece titled Entanglement. The piece features an intricate electro soundscape, further enhanced by the driving and robust drum beats. The listener is swept away by the hypnotic sounds, complemented by a partner instrument that adds a touch of speed and energy to the overall composition.
As the listener continues their musical journey with the second piece titled Captagon, they are welcomed with a powerful surge of thrashy instrumentation and vocals that relentlessly assault their souls and ears. The last two pieces of the composition offer a similarly intense and electrifying experience, leaving the listener wholly immersed in the sonic onslaught.
Vertex is a remarkable album that packs a lot of power and complexity into its relatively short runtime of only fourteen minutes and four songs. The production quality is exceptional, with a well-polished sound highlighting the band members’ intricate instrumentation and vocal performances.
The music itself is a fruit of art, and the band members’ remarkable devilmanship is evident in the way they channel their energy and emotion into each note. The result is a compelling performance that blends energetic barb-wire thrash riffs and technical chord playing that makes a deeply engaging and memorable listening experience. The heavy fuel-pumping and aggressive drum work provided by ex-Nervosa’s drummer Eleni Noti, adds a distinctive edge to the sound, driving the music forward with intense and relentless energy. At the same time, the vocals are delivered with an in-your-face shouty style.
Additionally, Backbone is classified as a techno-thrash act that may not be immediately visible to the listener. The techno sections are present but incorporated in the background, creating a groove-industrial vibe. These elements are more prominent at the beginning of the opening song.
Vertex is an album that anyone who appreciates exceptional production quality, intricate instrumentation, and powerful vocal performances should listen to.
Despite its short length, the album packs a punch and leaves a lasting impression on its listeners.
The album comes to an end with the last song, Iconoclas. We want to give a shoutout to Backbone for letting us their Vertex album. Now, we’re going to wrap it up by talking about the final three sins and concluding the review.
You’re Listening to “Backbone”
PlayThe Last Three Sins
Let’s discuss the last three sins, our thoughts on Backbone and their Vertex album.
The Fifth Sin, The Memorabilia: Is that for us, Vertex is both fresh and invigorating. The heavy guitar riffs and thunderous drum beats are so loud you can practically feel them in your bones. The fast-paced and thrashy riffs that follow are mind-blowing, with each note expertly crafted to keep you hooked from start to finish.
At the same time, with those unplugged drum strikes, fills, and beats on the opening track, I get this Cozy Powell and John Bonham feel within the drum work.
The Sixth Sin, The Artwork:
I’m unsure about the artwork (by Stavroula Kyvelou), but there’s a hint of innuendo.
The Seventh Sin, Disrelish:
Nothing to disrelish within the musical spectrum of Backbone, and their album Vertex.
This concludes the Backbone, Vertex review.
Track-Listing:
- Entaglement
- Captagon
- Post Entrapment
- Iconoclas
Backbone is:
- Peter Krk – guitar & vocals
- Eleni Nota – drums
- Dimitri Tsabros – bass
