Rating: 7.2

Country: Sweden

Release Date: 2004

Record Label: Self-Released

Track list:
1. The Brainshaped Mind
2. Cloning Assembly [MP3]
3. Contemporaneous Worlds

Total playing time: 21:10

Band Website: Terminal
Function

Terminal Function - The Brainshaped Mind

Victor Larsson - Vocals
Stefan Aronsson - Guitar
Mikael Almgren - Guitar
David Lindkvist - Drums
Johan Wickholm - Bass

Congratulations Theory in Practice, a clone has been spawned. Admittedly the sound quality is comparatively anaemic and the precision is a little lacking, but their distinctive genius has been fundamentally captured and worshipped in this second demo from their junior countrymen. Whereas the previous demo 'Time Bending Patterns' was a mere appendix to 'Third Eye Function', this release has more elements of individuality and impulsiveness, incorporating some of the twisted darkness and majesty from Theory in Practice's second album, 'The Armageddon Theories'.

The title track fuses dissonant bending chords, late-90s Meshuggah rhythms over syncopated drumming, awkward slamming staccato, synthesised stellar ambience, clean vocals, fast arpeggios as well as Aghora and Meshuggah inspired leads. Things start to go wrong after the synth-backed tapping intro to "Cloning Assembly". There is a detestably chirpy riff with a melody that irritates, scratchy inaudible leadwork and to cap it all, a long mid-song solo degenerates into an idiotic mess with repulsive tone over sonically-challenged crunching that kills the song dead. All is not lost however...  

"Contemporaneous Worlds" is a new version of an early track by the band. While still not original, the song is constructed superbly and weaves together the band's influences into a smoothly delivered emotive monolith of diversity that ranges from crunchy low staccato dirges to space travel ambience (with quasi-futuristic synthesised swells under the piano outro). The vocals are stronger and the 'borrowed' riffage is tweaked to fit the mood rather than stapled on. The song also has a very good impersonation of a quality Fredrik Thordendal solo although poor guitar tone hampers the improvised broken leadwork later on.  

Terminal Function have demonstrated that they are a powerful and intelligent force for the future, albeit inconsistent. Emulating a supremely talented band is far from easy but given the backing of a record label this band's first official full length release should be investigated by fans of Swedish polyrhythmic extreme metal.

April 30th, 2005