Holotropic – Individual
We’re here with the Slovakian band Holotropic, who have been pretty quiet since they dropped Permeate back in 2014. Now, they’re back with a fresh identity and a evolved musical vision. With their new record Individual, they push the extreme boundaries of progressive metal, and basically redefining themselves.
One might consider Individual a sonic monologue. It even ends with a monologue, so its not hard to find where I get the inspiration to call that haha. It’s a mix of technical death metal, prog, thrash, and even some avant-garde vibes. In just half an hour, Individual delivers tracks that reflect the complexity of the human mind—balancing silence with rage and throwing in unexpected oriental or jazz touches. While tracks like D’Filer and Al(l)one are high-tempo and aggressive, fRiction and out-with-in are where their progressive side really shines. The closing in_dividual trilogy takes the album to its peak; the rhythms get more complex and the philosophical themes deepen, touching on human nature and the social boundaries that suppress our instincts.
Thematically cohesive and rich in its prog and avant-garde elements, Individual is impressive enough to keep Holotropic firmly on my radar. Given the material, the 30-minute runtime is just perfect. If this means we’re going to see a more productive and dynamic Holotropic from now on, I’ll definitely be keeping a close eye on them. Check out their BANDCAMP for more info about the band and the record.
