Review by Adam M on June 9, 2020.

Intronaut pushes their sound into even increasingly more dense soundscapes with their newest album Fluid Existential Inversions. There is definitely a more complex nature to these songs that wind down a number of different trajectories. There is a need to make the music more challenging, but the band still has an oceanic and entirely interesting sound to it.  It’s an interesting change because I thought the band was starting to become more stagnant, but they have surprised me here. 

There is endless variety on the album and a colorful nature that is difficult not to appreciate.  This is easily the best Intronaut has sounded since Valley of Smoke and the album proves to unlock further nuggets after repeat listens.  There are simply a larger number of dynamic changes and progressive tendencies than the last couple of albums and it all adds up to a release that is more forward thinking and interesting.  I still think the band can push the envelope even further, but the progress they have made from the last release is commendable. Though the band has pushed boundaries, there is no doubt the feeling that things are starting to sound a bit generic. I fear for the band’s next album because the band will have to do something really interesting to remain relevant. As it stands, this is one of the best Intronaut albums and one of the best progressive releases of the year so far.  The band is starting to retread similar ideas, but throws the ball into uncharted territories as well. It will be interesting to see how they progress and keep things interesting in the future.

Fans of Intronaut’s previous material will find a lot to like here, as will fans of progressive metal in general. This is simply a very strong progressive post-metal album that will appeal to fans of this sub-genre.

Rating: 7.7 out of 10

Review by JD on December 30, 2015.

Swedish melodic death metallers Souldrainer has been around awhile, and steadily made a name for them it seems throughout the death metal world. Cold and harsh as their country gripped in the deadest of winters, then take that feel and inject strong writing and impressive melody that makes them stand out in a scene that sometimes is crowded with all sound a likes.

I was very impressed with Souldrainer right off the bat. I loved the melodic nature of it, as if they used a bit of traditional metal to help – and have hooks that were so memorable and yet heavy. The vocals by their throat man, Marcus Edvardsson, surprised me the most. What did is this man almost reminded me of Danny Filth (Cradle of Filth) but with some solid overtones of death metal vox running through the screeching melodies and haunting phrasing.

From the harshness of the opening track "Biological Experiments" to the Swedish titled ending song – solid - is the weakest words to describe the album, as ‘fucking stand out’, ‘crazy mother fucking heavy’ and ‘out of this world inventive’ would be a better start in the descriptive department. I just call it one of the most enjoyable and accessible death metal albums I have had the pleasure of doing in a very long time.

There are a few issues I have in the recording process of the album but all are rather small and will leave well enough alone. I just enjoyed the album from start to finish, finding no weak spots in any of the ten tracks they offered. Souldrainer is a band that not only death metallers will like, but others who are not on board with the DM scene, this might get them to re-evaluate their perceptions a little. I for one, have gotten a whole shit load out of it.

Rating: 9 out of 10