{"id":11704,"date":"2024-07-12T21:48:35","date_gmt":"2024-07-13T01:48:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/?p=11704"},"modified":"2024-07-12T21:59:27","modified_gmt":"2024-07-13T01:59:27","slug":"motivik-renouncement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2024\/07\/12\/motivik-renouncement\/","title":{"rendered":"MOTIVIK – Renouncement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Progressive Thrash Metal Redemptive Bliss<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Atlanta\u2019s metal outfit Motivik are back with a lengthy slab (nearly 60 minutes) of thrashy, progressive metal which serves as a follow up to 2021\u2019s Death of the Gunman<\/a> \u2013 <\/em>an album which explored cinematic progressive thrash metal with plenty of grit and creativity. Led by multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Ryan Roebuck (now also playing with Ritual Servant) Renouncement <\/em>represents a further progression for the band which still consists of primarily Ryan Roebuck and vocalist Courtney Simmons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Motivik have added session drummer Alex Emidio and tons of guest artists \u2013 Jason Weaver (vocals), Chris Ackerman (Betrayal), Jason Wisdom (Becoming the Archetype\/Death Therapy), Andre Chiang (vocals), Greg Minier (guitars), Derek Corzine (guitars). The album is mixed by Corzine and mastered by Rob Colwell so the sound quality of this recording is primo \u2013 first rate \u2013 the perfect balance of clear melodic definition of the voices with bass-end punch and mid-range power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right out of the gate, Renouncement <\/em>has the diverse flavor of last year\u2019s Testimony of Apocalypse release, The Offering<\/a><\/em>. This is likely due to the diverse nature of the vocal contributions and styles. Most of the singing styles here, however, fall into either the melodic metal or thrash metal realms \u2013 no death metal. So for those who like a more \u201ccoherent and discernable\u201d vocal approach, Motivik has delivered a feast of heavy, fast and engagingly \u201csingable\u201d metal anthems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vocals aside, the music shreds with that perfect balance of mid-tempo to fast thrash, power\/progressive metal conviction which never becomes disconnected with discernable and memorable melodies (Metallica, Megadeth, Tourniquet, Betrayal, Believer, Ritual Servant, etc.). The guitar crunch\/bass-thumping rhythm is perfectly blended with dynamic drumming. Some of the cinematic appeal of Gunman<\/em> can still be heard (particularly on the opening track) but Renouncement<\/em> just feels like a more direct metal statement \u2013 these songs punching in the heavyweight class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that regard, the Christian scene has often been maligned because the artists don\u2019t quite step up to the same level of \u201cprofessional execution\u201d and production quality as their secular counterparts. While I am not a fan of distinguishing separate \u201cscenes\u201d I recognize this is still a reality. Regardless, Renouncement<\/em>, first and foremost, represents an incredibly well-produced, well-written and well-executed collection of songs \u2013 one of the best recordings I\u2019ve heard this year secular, Christian or otherwise. Whether you are a fan of this style or not, I think it is fair to say that all those involved with this release \u201cgot it right.\u201d Furthermore, Motivik has improved\/progressed\/transformed in all the best ways, for which we can be grateful\/thankful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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