It is here that the band finally reached their full vocal potential, as Greg Graffin, Mr. Brett, and Jay Bentley coat harmonies and “ozzin ahhs” all over songs.
Imagine the progressive arrangements of Dream Theater, accompanied by a siren whose voice is flavored by a Gothic and metal undercarriage. This is Exordium.
Taking the guitar tweaking of Edward Van Halen and spiking it thru the post-punk herk ‘n’ jerk of those days is using the musical language to full advantange.
Scoville Unit pays homage to the effortlessness of Buddy Holly, the innocence of Simon & Garfunkel, the melancholy of REM, & the fluidity of Belle & Sebastian.
While I must applaud Scarve for the powerful, shapeshifting sorting of technical/groove metal on Irradiant, the sound is too reminiscent of Darkane/Meshuggah.
For a decade and a half, this band discharged from the bowels of Venom, Death, and Deicide comes across in a sharp, swarming display of shred and skillfulness.