Apogean's sophomore album, Waste Where Life Begins, is a disappointing follow-up to their critically acclaimed debut, Cyberstrictive. The band's decision to shift their sound from technical death metal to a blend of deathcore and blackened death is understandable, especially given recent lineup changes. However, this new direction feels like a step back, with the album's disjointed sequencing and repetitive songcraft failing to match the energy and virtuosity of its predecessor. Despite strong performances from vocalist Mac Smith and drummer Doug Noel, the album's overall middling quality leaves listeners unsatisfied. Apogean has the talent to right the ship, but Waste Where Life Begins is yet another example of the dreaded sophomore slump. Personally, I think Apogean's decision to broaden their sound was a mistake. While it's understandable that they wanted to explore new territory, the result is a record that feels like a compromise, lacking the focus and coherence of Cyberstrictive. What makes this particularly fascinating is the contrast between the two albums. Cyberstrictive was a powerful and memorable debut, while Waste Where Life Begins feels like a band trying to please everyone, resulting in a record that's neither here nor there. In my opinion, Apogean should have stuck to their guns and focused on refining their technical death metal sound. From my perspective, the band's talent is undeniable, but they need to find their footing again and rediscover the energy and passion that made Cyberstrictive such a success. One thing that immediately stands out is the album's disjointed sequencing. The songs feel like they're being pulled in different directions, with some tracks embracing unadorned composition while others attempt to recapture the cybernetic stylings of old. This results in a bifurcated flow with little sense of cohesion, making it difficult for listeners to get into the album. What many people don't realize is that the album's production values are actually quite good. The vocals are clear and defined, and the guitar tones are crisp and aggressive. However, the overall sound is overshadowed by the album's disjointed nature and repetitive songcraft. If you take a step back and think about it, it's clear that Apogean is struggling to find their footing. The band has the talent to succeed, but they need to make some tough decisions and rediscover their passion for technical death metal. This raises a deeper question: can a band recover from the dreaded sophomore slump? A detail that I find especially interesting is the contrast between the two albums' artwork. Cyberstrictive had a dark and dystopian aesthetic, while Waste Where Life Begins has a more generic and uninspired cover. What this really suggests is that the band is struggling to find its identity, and the artwork is a reflection of that. Apogean remains a highly talented group, and Waste Where Life Begins contains enough strong performances to suggest a return to form for these lads remains within reach. However, the album's overall middling quality leaves listeners unsatisfied. The band needs to take a step back, reassess their priorities, and rediscover the energy and passion that made Cyberstrictive such a success. In conclusion, Apogean's Waste Where Life Begins is a disappointing follow-up to their critically acclaimed debut. The band's decision to shift their sound was understandable, but the result is a record that feels like a compromise, lacking the focus and coherence of Cyberstrictive. Apogean has the talent to right the ship, but they need to make some tough decisions and rediscover their passion for technical death metal.
