Portal – Vexovoid | Review

Lots of hype around this Australian group and I never really understood why. Sure they got a great drummer and an interesting concept (influenced by HP Lovecraft’s fictional tales), but musically this is simply a murky, less-skilful version of Morbid Angel. Could it be that all artists that use masks or cloaks are destined for success, or is due to the fact that Portal’s albums were released by Profound Lore Records, which is led by the highly revered Chris Bruni? Whatever the reason, this new work hasn’t changed my opinion. “Vexovoid” is more of the same, expelling a muddy, noisey and tortuous sound that lures the listener down into an excruciating and dark hole. While that experience seems appealing for a few moments, opener “Kilter” for instance sees Portal incorporating a more polyrhythmic approach, offering some interesting and complex time signatures along the lines of Meshuggah, other times it seems to drag on a bit and sound like an indiscernible and agonizing wall of sound.
Fans of the band will surely disagree with me, but the truth is that Portal were never a consensual group, you either like it or you don’t and I just don’t have the stomach to endure such tortuous and excruciating atmosphere.

Band info: www.facebook.com/portaldeath
Label info: www.profoundlorerecords.com


8 comments:

  1. ITT: A little bitch who probably listens to power metal in his mom's basement

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  2. "I just don’t have the stomach to endure such tortuous and excruciating atmosphere."

    That's exactly what people who like Portal's music find so brilliant about it. To each his own I guess. Outre is still my favorite, but I liked this album.

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  3. I think Portal just isn't your thing if you haven't liked them before you won't like them now.

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  4. Calm down everyone. You should quit taking reviews so seriously, it’s just one opinion and obviously not everyone will agree with it.
    Kudos to Portal for posting the review, bands that accept the fact that not everyone likes their work deserve our respect.

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  5. "less-skilful version of Morbid Angel"... stopped reading around there.

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  6. That reviewer is obviously a fool haha. Portal are quite accomplished musicians.

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  7. Well, when we say less-skilful it doesn’t mean they can’t play their instruments. I do agree on that point, they’re accomplished musicians, in special that drummer. But when compared to Morbid Angel, they seem a bit lacking, mostly in the guitar department.

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  8. I love Portals Vexovoid. I love Morbid Angel. Azagthoths guitar work is unsurpassed, but if his guitar play is the voice of the ancient ones, Portals music is the horror and mindfuck that the speech of those ancient beeing create.

    They are not rivals, they are both different (and surely genius) aspects of this ancient beeings!

    Praise this album. It is simply not listenable to everyone. I would be more frightened if it was.

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