As one name that has remained a real constant virtually no matter where you turn in the world of technical death metal, it may come as a shock to some that it’s been seven years since we last heard from The Zenith Passage despite their last album, “Solipsist”, constantly named as a fan favorite. The return was downright prophetic in the eyes of many with the prospect certainly something that warrants being dubbed “highly anticipated”. However, it is now after such a long wait that we’re now able to bear the fruit of that patience with this new opus a treat that is oh so sweet.

The rapid rise of technical death metal in the last ten years is something that cannot be denied nor ignored for all that it has summoned out of the underground year after year. We could sit here and talk for hours about the bands that laid the foundation for what we have today to the names that are constantly coming around to bewilder the senses and astonish us in such a way that leaves us no less than truly captured in body, mind, and soul. Whereas “Solipsist” was a more than competent display of mastery over the sound that more than earns its hallowed reputation, “Datalysium” is practically destined for godhood. Everything that was delivered in its predecessor has been turned up a thousand-fold to deliver what many are already considering the epitome of technical death metal in 2023, and I’m inclined to cast my lot with them. It is going to take a lot to topple what “Datalysium” brings to the table with its terrific electronic effects elevating the already-stellar death metal nigh on untouchable as the sheer level of craftsmanship that is to be found through all nine of these tracks. The Zenith Passage clearly spent the last seven years meticulously perfecting this record so that it can become the absolute mammoth creation that it is with their efforts more than paying off!

It has been a hot minute since I’ve come across a work of technical death metal that has blown my socks off as well as hooked my very soul, but The Zenith Passages tempts to be dubbed an undeniable masterstroke, magnum opus, the perfection of modern intensity, or whatever it is you want to call it – The Zenith Passage has more than earned it! “Datalysium” was always meant for greatness from the moment its first notes were written, but there’s hardly anything that can prepare the mind for the supreme simulacrum that has been brought forth here. Not one for the weak and a creation that veterans of the sound will easily lose themselves in, The Zenith Passage can rest easy knowing they’ve crafted something that towers above the competition bar none.

“Datalysium” releases on July 21st via Metal Blade Records!

LISTEN to singles from “Datalysium” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE The Zenith Passage on Facebook here.