25th November 2023

Review: “Survival Mode” by Disorientation

Building on the foundation of gold and bones of their debut self titled EP from 2021, Montreal Quebec Canadian multi instrumentalist duo Disorientation have returned with “Survival Mode“. Mixed and mastered by Hugues Deslauriers at Roarrr Sound Studio, it finds partners in crime Marie-Claude Fleury (Vocals, Oboe, English Horn, Drum Programming) and Daniel Daris (Guitars, Bass) once again blurring the lines between Extreme Metal, Noise and Hardcore influences while also being an exercise of survival for both of them who suffered losing loved ones during recording…

Moving away from the raw quality of the recording of their self titled debut EP with “Survival Mode” while Disorientation claim to have created something more straightforward this time around, that’s not the impression that we get. The Avant-garde duo instead go deeper down the rabbit hole and continue their perpetual forward motion with a ferocious and spine chilling trio of cuts that once again disorientate and disturb. Opening cut “Dissociation” once again finds the oboe effectively replacing the lead guitar and adding ominous and sinister melodies to contrast against the fierce unclean vocals from Fleury. The stunning choral vocals from the first record are maintained with guest musicians Maude Théberge and Pascal Germain-Berardi forming a classical choir and there is no question that the straight jackets are awaiting Disorientation alongside a trip to Arkham Asylum. The near eight minute opening cut has more twists and turns than a page turning dime store psycolocal horror novel and is exactly what the edge of the seat was made for. Daris brings the Death Metal riffs to “Jaded” and the sympathetic drum programming ensures that the duo could flesh out to a full band and go live for further catharsis if their black hearts so desire. Its actually barely noticeable that the drums are programmed, the sheer sonic weight of other nightmarish sounds in the mix making it a challenge to focus on that particular implement of sonic destruction. The unorthodox vocal lines of this one make it feel like Slam poetry with the vocals pushing extremes in both directions, while lending themselves to the bands odd song structures. In “Dark Side” the oboe adds a theatrical quality that feels like a nod to “The Nutcracker” by Tchaikovsky before violent aggression of the blast beats swings the song into Deathgrind as Darius reaches into his dark soul and pulls forth some blistering riffs. This one proves that the duo can create short, sharp shocks without losing any of their dark atmospherics or dynamics and is simply pure evil of the darkest kind… [8/10]

Track Listing