Album Details

• Artist: Amplexus
• Album: Deus Ex Machina
• Label: Indie
• Year of Release: 2007
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: hstisgod on 2007-09-27

Media

Let's ignore the fact that their band name is inspired by the fertilization process of frogs and tadpoles.  Amplexus is an energetic name and their sound surely fits.  However, let's neglect to ignore that their debut release according to wikipedia;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deus_ex_machina
describes an unexpected, artificial, or improbable character, device, or event introduced suddenly in a work of fiction or drama to resolve a situation or untangle a plot (e.g. an angel suddenly appearing to solve problems).

This is damn near on the money when referencing the work of art they have created, Deus Ex Machina.

 A cross breed of EMOtional metal and carefully written hardcore with an unforgettable rhythm section, Amplexus ride a fine line that only few artists have been able to pull off.  Getting back to obvious but hidden meanings, track eight, The Handbook For The Recently Deceased should jar anyone who's seen the movie Beetlejuice's memory.  By far the most radio friendly, this song has a fantastic acoustic intro that softly entices interest.  Quickly a blitzing and rhythmic verse attacks.  The chorus will eventually morph the two, and lead to a unique bridge of hardcore vocals and instrumentation.  The lyrical content in fact does shadow a bit of the famous movie's dialogue, though my quick memory of the storyline say its a bitch of a stretch. 

The first track Come On In introduces you to the melting pot of their sound.  Heart-thumping double bass drums, stop and start rhythm and bass guitars section. Mind numbing fretting of the lead guitars.  All the while lead singer Mahlon tastefully ropes everything together with manly wail, yet subtle speech very comparable to the likes of Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle, Tapeworm) and Lajon Witherspoon (Sevendust).

;The following track, Savage Henry,  far too advanced for the close minded of public radio airwaves, is a fantastic neighborhood of vocal styles and harmonics leaving an imprint on the brain. Amplexus will leave you in awe, wondering just how the hell they're un-signed, and quite honestly, if you're like me you'll pray they stay that way.  A label would only destroy songs like Canaries In A Coalmine, tearing down its progressive tempo for that of a slowed jive.  Sleepwalking Atheist begins udderly powerful and metallic, takes a mere break occasionally for a verse storyline.  But it's the sudden silence a little more than two minutes in that builds a peak for the song.

Even the weaker songs of this bunch have most of the indie world by the throat.  Sunset On The Neptune, if listened to with the rest of the album in mind, just doesn't make the grade.  Like I said, this song only lacks interest due to merit of the rest of the recording.  Track six "Interlude" acts as nap time, and gives an industrial vibe, while the band floats their mixed vocal harmonies in. The Reasons Are Legion has more of a punk-yet poppy feel. 

There's so many artists that have molded my 29 years and beyond of musical enjoyment, but few have given me the excitment of pure independence that Amplexus does.  Vocals that often travel between shadowed, subtle and screaming, sometimes involving all members.  The music while dominantly Metal, has so much more dignity and identity than a simple genre specification.   Based on the shear development of their own likes and dislikes as music listeners, they've recorded a remarkable debut effort that does infact resolve a tangled plot.  You don't need a label to record mature and professional material!

This is a must have for the fans of Evans Blue, Alexisonfire, and Sevendust

User Reviews and Comments

Review:

on 2007-10-01 fisticuff Said:

congratulations guys!well deserved!
Rating: 10/10

Review:

on 2007-10-01 dscanland Said:

Congrats on winning the Indie Of The Year contest!
Not Rated

Review:

on 2007-09-04 cluggy2022 Said:

Deus Ex Machina by Amplexus keeps you on your tose at all times. Hard for me to even pick a favorite song because every track has something I love in it. Surprised to see that these dudes aren't signed. Good Luck to these Gentlemen.
Rating: 10/10

Review:

on 2007-08-27 fisticuff Said:

Awesome guys. I love the stuff on the radio. Looking forward to doing a show soon. Keep it up and Great job!!
Rating: 10/10

Review:

on 2007-08-11 hstisgod Said:

Look out, we have a front runner in the metal genre for Indie Of The Year contest.
Rating: 10/10