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STELLAR CIRCUITS “Phantom :: Phoenix”
STELLAR CIRCUITS “Phantom :: Phoenix”
By Mercyful Mike
“STELLAR CIRCUITS is making a powerful impact in the progressive metal scene following the release of their acclaimed 2023 album “Sight to Sound” on Nuclear Blast Records.” Sounds exciting, right? Like many of you Wormwood disciples, I am also a huge fan of progressive metal, so this seemed like it would be right in my wheelhouse. Well… no.
Not sure who STELLAR CIRCUITS marketing team is, but they need to refrain from ever using the term “progressive metal” again. This is NOT progressive metal. What we have here is a band content In tossing copious amounts of DEFTONES, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, and LINKIN PARK into a blender and calling it their own. Talk about aping a sound and style…
Right out of the gate, “I See Your Spirit” wastes no time revealing that STELLAR CIRCUITS worship at the altar of Chino Moreno, Chester Bennington & Mike Shinoda, with the dreadful rapping of Zack de la Rocha (see “Elegant Illusion”) thrown in for maximum “Bro Effect”. The huge bravado of aggressive delivery, quickly followed by the whiney, clean vocals is an approach that has more than worn out its welcome. Please, enough of the “call and respond” crap.
As I begrudgingly suffer through the next few songs, I find a lot of the same. On occasion, there is a glimpse of SHADOWS FALL riffage, but I can only assume that occurred by complete accident. STELLAR CIRCUITS are trying so hard to impress with crazy structures and time changes that they ultimately paint themselves into a corner and go absolutely nowhere.
If we are looking for a high point, “Corridor” can be mentioned. This song works best on the album (for me) because of its simplicity. It’s allowed to breathe with a much more natural flow. No ridiculous time changes for the sake of time changes. And dare I say, it has a bit more pop sensibility, making it… catchy.
All in all, “Phantom :: Phoenix” is NOT progressive, but a colossal heap of regurgitated, turn of the century nu metal. Had STELLAR CIRCUITS been around between 2001 – 2007, they would have been as big as the aforementioned bands at the start of this review. Unfortunately, this style has been done to death, and the clones of today seem to be sifting through the ashes looking for an ember of hope. Now obviously, this is one man’s opinion, and if STELLAR CIRCUITS sounds like they would check a whole lot of boxes for you, then who am I to stand in your way? Music is always subjective, so if it puts a smile on your face, that is all that matters in the end. Or should I say, “In the end, it doesn’t even matter”? See what I did there? I digress…
1/10
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