Unleash Your Inner Metalhead with Periphery V: Djent Is Not a Genre

Image showing periphery band playing live on concert — Courtesy: Periphery.com

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Periphery V: Djent Is Not a Genre

Periphery, the progressive metal band from the US, has released their new album, “Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre.” The album contains 11 pieces that offer a range of musical styles from smooth jazz to eardrum-pummeling heavy metal. The band has been known for its distinctive sound, and the three guitarists, Misha Mansoor, Jake Bowen, and Mark Holcomb, have been playing together since Holcomb joined in 2011. The band hit a wall after the release of their last album in 2019, but with determination and perseverance, they have produced a new album worth the wait. The band took a tongue-in-cheek approach to the album’s title, which aims to challenge critics who have labeled their music as “djent.” The album is available now on the band’s own 3DOT Recordings label.

Three Guitarists Are Better Than Four

Periphery has released their new album, “Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre,” with 11 songs that showcase the band’s distinct sound. The band has been together for over a decade, and the three guitarists have been blazing trails and melting faces with their music. The band encountered some challenges during the production of the album, but they were determined to push their creative limits and produce an album that would exceed their previous work.

Good Was Not Good Enough

Periphery’s last album, “Periphery IV: Hail Stan,” was released in 2019 to critical acclaim. The band had promised fans new material as early as March of 2021, but the production of the album hit a wall. They faced increased levels of self-criticism, geographical separation, exhaustion, false starts, and time constraints. The band members decided that “good was not good enough” and embarked on a period of brutal material scrappage, which caused demoralization during the album’s early stages.

Djent Is Not A Genre

The band took a tongue-in-cheek approach to the album’s title, “Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre.” The term “djent” has been used to describe 7- or 8-string progressive metal in general, but Periphery aimed to challenge critics who have labeled their music in this way. The new album packs a range of musical styles from smooth jazz to heavy metal and includes 11 songs that showcase the band’s distinct sound.

From Smooth Jazz to Heavy Metal

The album, “Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre,” includes 11 melodies that offer a range of musical styles from smooth jazz to eardrum-pummeling heavy metal. The electro-pop track, “Silhouette,” serves as a palette cleanser at the album’s midway point before things get loud again with “Zagreus” and the bowel-busting 8-string chug of “Dracul Gras,” also known as “Fat Dracula.” The album closes out in suitably epic style with “Thanks Nobuo,” an 11-minute track filled with effects-laden drop-C inventiveness.

Sleep Deprivation and Creativity

The most experimental excursion on the album, “Wildfire,” is the result of Misha’s sleep deprivation. The band members approached the album without any preconceived ideas and took inspiration from a riff or section that informed what happened in the song. Misha has found that being up late can switch off the prefrontal cortex and allows other parts of the brain to operate, leading to memorable sections in the album.

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Available Now

“Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre” is available now on the band’s own 3DOT Recordings label. Periphery V marks a return to the band’s self-produced roots, with the album recorded and mixed entirely by the band members themselves. This approach allowed for a more personal touch and the ability to experiment with different sounds and techniques without the pressure of studio deadlines or outside opinions.

Despite the challenges and setbacks faced during the album’s creation, Periphery V is a triumph of creativity, musicianship, and sheer determination. The band has managed to push their sound to new heights while remaining true to their progressive metal roots.

The release of Periphery V has been met with widespread critical acclaim and has been praised for its complexity, technicality, and innovative songwriting. Fans of the band will not be disappointed, and newcomers to the world of progressive metal will find much to enjoy in this ambitious and impressive release.

Looking to the future, Periphery shows no signs of slowing down. The band has already begun work on their next album, and fans can expect more groundbreaking music from this talented group of musicians.

In conclusion, Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of creative freedom in the pursuit of art. The album is a must-listen for fans of progressive metal and anyone who appreciates musicianship and innovation in music.