Beyond

Reassemble (Pavement)
by Scott Hefflon

Chicago’s demented Ted gets a facelift. With programming assistance by Acumen’s Jamie Duffy and engineer Mike Tholon (Ministry, Skrew, RevCo.), Beyond now sounds like a cross between Skrew, Fear Factory, and third generation Pantera. They keep the occasional double bass thundering, demon roar, and Slayer-esque guitar harmonies as well as a few other tricks in the death/metal handbook. But they mix in more chugga-chuggas and use more mechanical production aesthetic. Not amazing, but a step in the right direction.