Black Oak’s style is on the techier side of progressive metal. They alternate between the pressure of bass-heavy, punchy guitars in lock-step with double bass kicks and the release of echoing soundscapes. Think of a more metalcore interpretation of Uneven Structure’s atmospheric djent. This sound drives a confident debut that offers a lot now, and promises far more for the future.
Egolution’s most striking feature is its meandering song structures. Maybe the songs could do with being trimmed here and there, or even returning to stronger passages more often, but they are far more interesting than the verse/chorus/solo formula that Black Oak could easily have gone for. Despite this it’s an accessible album, particularly for the anthemic yet percussive beatdowns of Architects that are brought into ‘Doubt’ and ‘Shadows’.
The only loss is that it is harder to think of each song as its own self-contained set piece. It’s much easier to connect with individual passages – and there are so many great moments through the album – than point to whole songs.
Samuéla Burenstrand’s vocals elevate the entire album. Her cleans range from whispered melodies over the album’s gentlest moments to soaring vocals with plenty of power. Her harsh vocals are similarly varied and accomplished throughout, with a raw sound that really makes the most of her voice.
If there’s a weakness to Egolution it is in its transitions and some of its soundscapes. ‘Equilibrium Pt 1’ wastes the momentum built up by the preceding tracks with an instrumental journey to a steam and dystopia factory. The opening minutes of ‘Transition’ are a similar step down from the incredible climax of ‘Death’.
Too often these sections don’t meaningfully contrast enough with the vocal tracks to be worthwhile, or tell enough of a story to justify themselves. ‘Equilibrium Pt 2’ is the best of these with a great expanse of strings and synths that evokes neon and concrete, but even here it could probably have been one minute instead of two.
Egolution is a slightly raw first step from a band with immense promise. What Black Oak produce next would only need a bit more polish and refinement to be standing toe to toe with the best that the scene can offer.
