Octagone is an Industrial and Death Metal quartet from Pilsen (Czech Republic). Not much information on this band nor their latest offering Proelium can be found anywhere on the World Wide Web. I wondered if it was done deliberately or not, but I find it rather stupid to keep the band like this in the darkest European underground.

The potential is definitely there, and the eight tracks they put forward on this full-length are quite impressive. To times it reminds me of Fear Factory, Mnemic, Meshuggah, STYL and similar mainly industrial/electronica/death metal acts. Meanwhile, Octagone adds this special little flavour to spice things up a bit and give it some identity and diversity. Song-writing is surprisingly good, so is the production.

I very much enjoyed their blend of old-school death metal with this thick layer of synths and thrashy polyrhythmic riffs. Even the drumming is nice and listenable and not a typical hellish and manic death metal drumming. They even incorporate something like Middle-Eastern and exotic instruments, which again adds something to the overall atmosphere surrounding this record.

Octagone are not afraid to explore and challenge themselves and their instruments in order to learn more. I think they should get acknowledged for that, while still continuing to work hard and make an even bigger impression with their sophomore release to come.

For more info on this Czech band go to: http://www.myspace.com/octagonemusic