Autotheism sees The Faceless headed in a somewhat different direction with their sound. Gone are most of the space/alien elements and in is a more progressive/experimental sound with substantially more clean vocals from guitarist/mastermind of the band Michael Keene. This is a change that will alienate some of their fans, but it was a choice that I think works exceptionally well. The new progressive/oddball stuff gives them a lot more freedom to experiment musically and creates a lot of memorable passages. The new elements to their sound sets them apart from the just about every other progressive/technical death metal band. The enhanced focus on clean vocals show just good of a vocalist that Keene is. His cleans are very unique and even haunting on certain passages on this album (especially during the "Autotheist Movement" portion of the record, more on that in a second). The whacked-out and daring songwriting adds a new element of surprise to The Faceless. It's was a big gamble that payed off handsomely for them. The 3-part album opener "Autotheist Movement" is nothing short of genius. The 16-minute opus flows together so well and features some of the stunning musicianship of their career so far. It goes from a super-progressive, haunting beginning full of clean vocals with "Create", then transforms into a super heavy, super fast mid-section with two amazing solos from Keene on "Emancipate" then concludes with the bat-shit crazy, circus from hell (If you heard the song, You know what I'm talking about) with "Deconserate". "Autotheist Movement" is so ambitious, odd, and just flat-out incredible. Nothing on this album quite tops it, but there is some other gems on here such as the brilliant closer of "In Solitude" which starts off with a laid-back acoustic intro and then soon launches into the best riff on the album.
Autotheism isn't all about the progressive weirdo elements though, The Faceless still know how to crush skulls with the best of them. New vocalist Gefforey Ficco does a great job replacing Derek Rydquist. His low screams are actually more devastating than Rydquist while his highs are just as sinister sounding. He is given ample time to prove himself amongst the expanded progressive sections here and he shines. His top moments outside of the aforementioned "Autotheist Movement" and "In Solitude" are on the two heaviest tracks on the album "Ten Billion Years" and especially "Hymn of Sanity". "Hymn of Sanity" is the only song on the album with no clean vocals and it's a fast, brutal track that he absolutely destroys (in a good way) vocally. Between seeing them at Summer Slaughter last week and this album, Ficco erased any fears I had about him replacing Rydquist. He was 100% up to the task and I can honestly say that I like his vocals more than Rydquist's (Although he is still a monster of a vocalist).
Autotheism is another booming success for The Faceless. This album is near perfect (My only problem is the criminal underuse of Evan Brewer, who is arguably the best bassist in metal right now) and was well worth the four-year wait. It keeps the same general sound in tact, while adding a lot more progressive/experimental material. I will admit I do like Planetary Duality just a tad more, but that doesn't take from the fact that album is fucking excellent. The Faceless have proved once again why they are one of the most important and just plain best bands in not only the extreme metal scene, but the metal scene as a whole.
4.5/5 Stars
Standout Tracks
1.Autotheist Movement I-III: Create, Emancipate, Deconsecrate
2.In Solitude
3.Hymn of Sanity
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