How can five young, regular-looking guys produce such a fierce, full-on metal assault? A surely pertinent question after giving a listen to Paria's 2009 offering, The Barnacle Cordious. Jackhammer riffing and drumming, unpredictable song structures, and -- of course -- tortured screams are showcased throughout; picture an amalgamation of the Dillinger Escape Plan and Tool, and you're not far off from the sonic scintillation that Paria specialize in. And the chaps have no problem keeping up the fury at a steady pace, as evidenced by such selections as the album-opening title track, "The Wallabee Dance Machine," and "Thrash," the latter of which shows that the group believes in honest advertising. For intense modern metal, Paria's The Barnacle Cordious is calling your name.
© Greg Prato /TiVo