Review GRADIENCE “Anomalies”

Copenhagen is a vibrant city, so it should come as no surprise that an innovative band like Gradience has emerged from the Danish capital. Gradience are Gavin Mistry and Jakob Lærke Harris. The two formed the band in 2022, and their debut single, “This Abyss,” already created a first wave of excitement. Ironsight was the first EP the guys released, and it was this record that opened the door to a deal with the iconic Metal Blade Records. Now, the label has released Anomalies, the debut album from the two musicians – and what we get to hear is both confusing and captivating.

Gradience are not a band that fits neatly into any particular genre. There are simply too many influences woven into their music. Metalcore, blackened metal, and rap take center stage, joined by clean vocal passages and electronic elements. Just listen to a track like “Master to the Slave” and you’ll get a pretty good idea of the musical puzzle these guys are putting together.

It’s always exciting to see a band break away from familiar structures and let its creativity run free. With Gradience, you sometimes get the feeling that savage Scandinavian black metal has collided with the sound of Linkin Park and melted into a massive sonic monolith. “Stains” is a good example of exactly that. And yes, it’s quite a combination – but somehow, they make it work.

The acoustic opening of “Slow” fits perfectly into this picture, because Gradience clearly aren’t interested in being guided by convention. This interlude provides a welcome moment of calm on an otherwise restless and driven album. “Slow” creates a nice counterpoint before the frantic opening of “Undone” brings the heaviness crashing back in. The brutal eruptions continue throughout the track, constantly competing with the sweeter melodies that are also part of the song. It’s a little like watching two very different personalities fight for control of the same room.

Anomalies is an unusual debut. Furious outbursts and melodic passages blend with rap vocals, turning these songs into an unpredictable musical journey. The same can be said for the album’s overall sound. At times, it feels as if a few too many influences are trying to break through at once, and you may find yourself wishing for a little more consistency. Still, Anomalies is a debut worth checking out. Gradience have clearly shown that they are not afraid to take the road less traveled, and it will be interesting to see where their creativity takes them next.