This album knocked my socks off; it's an amazing piece from beginning to end. "DeEvolution" reunites vocalist Erik Rosvold with Troy and Jasun Tipton, an important assembly considering the trio was responsible for Zero Hour's "The Towers of Avarice," an undisputed progressive metal classic. Zero Hour continued on after Rosvold left, but the pathways of Cynthesis interwove their destinies once more, and the musical approach throughout "DeEvolution" strongly contradicts what many would expect from the original members of Zero Hour. The signature style of the Tiptons is present, but certainly repressed for atmospheric items and obscure elements typically absent in Zero Hour's manifesto. That isn't to suggest the overall content lacks substance, however; this new approach is simply phenomenal all around, like nothing you've ever heard.There are classic Tipton tracks, sure. "The Man Without Skin" and parts of "Divided Day" and "Profits of Disaster" use the Jasun Tipton formula of oddly-calculated riffs and melodies which could sizzle a normal guitarist's fingers, and Troy Tipton's bass is at the forefront of the album's sound with his equally-technical licks. These cuts are abnormally good, but the other tracks are in another universe, somehow conversing with ours. "DeEvolution" is mainly based on slow, brooding riffs and atmospheric keys, instead of blistering shredding carnivals. Hell, many songs actually don't show at full force, instead using keys or soft chords to channel the musical message, and it works to perfection. The atmosphere exhales powerfully, giving the totalitarian concept of mass manipulation and Orwellian philosophies a celestial body in Cynthesis' mechanics.
All that being said, Erik Rosvold sounds natural and great. Few vocalists can match so much emotion and power as him, and his ability as a singer is at its maximum. Amazing, amazing performance. "Incision" drives home an honest point: simple, lashing riffs clash into Troy's dazzling bass lines and the dominating presence of Rosvold, making it a progressive opus that shatters every realm in existence. "Shallow World" and "Twilight" serve as calmer tracks, yet the lighter theme makes dramatic appearances throughout a majority of the record; nothing to complain about though because the approach brings out an attractive quality of the album's evolution. Every song remains strong and unique, a staple of the consistency and surging adroitness within each cell of "DeEvolution."
"DeEvolution" is conceptually and emotionally overwhelming. An album that can connect the musical picture and lyrical hue to the listener's imagination with so much vitality and precision brings much more than fantastic music to the table, especially the power felt in Rosvold's mighty voice. Forget any skeptical notions you may have about three of the four original members of Zero Hour coming together to tame a beast of a different nature; the chemistry between the Tiptons and Rosvold is unmistakably powerful and lush. Every track is a journey into something dark and riveting, a world of encompassing electricity which thrives on the poignant, cinematic approach taken throughout "DeEvolution," and if there's one progressive metal album you should not miss, it's this.