Shodan - Protocol of Dying (2015)

Shodan is a death metal threepiece from Wroclaw, Poland and -- cutting the long story short -- it's time you started keeping an eye on them. The band, still obscure to many, is now gaining musical momentum and Protocol of Dying, the trio's second offering, is a solid piece of extreme metal you should not miss this autumn.

The album was mixed and mastered by Arek "Malta" Malczewski which, to many, may be a perfect recommendation itself. Protocol of Dying sounds consistent and firm all along. Guitars are thick and heavy. Bass is distinct, maybe a bit dirty, but pleasantly throbs in the background, giving the low frequencies this reassuring feeling.

Music-wise, Protocol of Dying kicks off with straightforward, uncompromising blasting of "Shrine" (which by far is my personal favourite). The song is accompanied by punishing vocals that will put a smile to the face of every death metal fan. Szczepan Inglot's growls are furious, but with the distinctly melodic choruses in place you can rest assured lots of it will infectiously dig into your brain.

Vocals on Protocol of Dying go all over the place, ranging from whispers and recitation, through low gutterals, up to shrieks and screams, clean vocals (Protocol of Dying) and voice modulation. This, on paper, may sound as a perfect recipe for nausea, but works surprisingly well for the band.

The way I see it, vocals are very polished and effectively make this album. Inglot assumes many voice personas which in many songs sound so distinct its hard to believe were delivered by the band's only vocalist. But there is much more than meets the eye: Szczepan is also the bands only axeman, which effectively means he also delivers all these solos and tons of good riffage.

Protocol of Dying is a musical journey through the brain of a lunatic. Every song is a slightly different metal excursion. La raine du bal, for example is chanty and goes overtly avant-garde with waltzy grooves and clean singing, which may come across as quite shocking on your first listen.

This world means nothing has this songy, progressive feel which (to me) bears much affinity to Faith No More (sic!). Songs like Immaculate Deception and Beloved Manticore are more groovy, and resemble proper metal songs.

But Protocol of Dying is nowhere near conventional death metal. This being said, there are some things on the album that by-the-numbers metal fans will not be able to digest. For example, guitar solos seem too polished and maybe even a bit gratuitous in the vicinity of such skull crushing riffage. But it alse means there is lots of goodie-goodie for musical challengers. Fans of Strapping Young Lad worry not. 

Well rounded musicianship, amazing vocals, powerful riffs, well-thought song arrangements. The Protocol of Dying is a great metal album, incredibly organic and natural sounding, but not for everybody. Its eclectic composition and strong leaning towards more unconventional and progressive music may distract.