Review by Tomek on December 26, 2007.

“Welcome to Laboratory”... is something that keeps coming to my mind when I listen to Blotted Science’s “The Machinations of Dementia”. It could be because of the introductory paragraph from their website that got stuck in my head, or maybe it’s because of song titles that may as well be a list of mental or physical sicknesses that a lab is working on. Or maybe it’s the fact that listening to the whole album makes me feel mentally unstable?...

Ron Jarzombek is pure genius. He must be, because how else would he be able to play hundreds of riffs in one song, combined with melodies, solos, some good shredding and on top of that make it all sound that brutal? And as if that wasn’t hard enough, he does all that at the speed of a bullet, giving the rest of the band quite a workout. Fortunately, Alex Webster is the bass player, and speed is something he’s rather familiar with. His finger-driven five string bass adds demolishing rumble to Ron’s sonic assault without giving up any chance to make songs more amazing. But that is not the end of it. Drumming on the album is courtesy of Charlie Zeleny himself. For all who don’t know the guy – let’s just say – expect the unexpected would be the best way to explain what is going on.

Blotted Science is pretty much dissimilar to any point of comparison. It is weird, highly technical, unpredictable and sometimes inaccessible. Not for everyone and may even drive you into dementia, but if unexpected is what you desire, this one is most likely your blue pill.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 9
Originality: 10
Production: 10
Overall: 9

Rating: 9.6 out of 10