Periphery V: Djent Is Not a Genre
| Company type | Independent record label |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founder | Periphery |
| Products | Music albums |
| Owner | Periphery |
Periphery V: Djent Is Not a Genre marks the seventh full-length release from the American progressive metal ensemble Periphery, which debuted on March 10, 2023, under their independent label, 3DOT Recordings. The production was handled internally by the band, with collaboration from former bassist Adam "Nolly" Getgood.[1]
Background and promotion
On March 11, 2021, members of Periphery shared a studio snapshot signaling the commencement of songwriting for their seventh studio project.[2] By October 12, 2022, Jake Bowen confirmed that the album's recording phase had concluded and was prepared for mastering.[3] The group unveiled the album’s title, artwork, and official release date on January 9, 2023. Shortly thereafter, two singles—"Wildfire" and "Zagreus"—were released on January 12.[4]
Both tracks incorporate elements from earlier albums Juggernaut: Alpha and Juggernaut: Omega. Specifically, "Wildfire" revisits themes from "The Event," while "Zagreus" integrates riffs originally found in "Four Lights." Mansoor revealed that "Zagreus" drew inspiration from the indie video game Hades, taking its name from the game's main character and including the recurring death motif featured in the soundtrack.[5] On February 16, exactly one month prior to the album’s launch, Periphery released their third single "Atropos," accompanied by a music video.[6]
Critical reception
The album was met with extensive critical praise. AllMusic described it as a "masterclass in the progressive metal subgenre," building upon the momentum established by their previous release in 2019, Periphery IV: Hail Stan. Dom Lawson of Blabbermouth.net awarded it a score of 9 out of 10, commending its adventurous spirit and cohesiveness while noting an increase in heaviness throughout. Distorted Sound granted a flawless rating, applauding Periphery's continuous innovation and growth even as their priorities shifted toward financial sustainability.
Kerrang! rated the album four stars out of five, highlighting the band's depth that surpasses mere polyrhythmic intricacies. Louder Sound acknowledged Periphery’s capacity to rise above genre constraints and sustain a unique identity since their Juggernaut era. An 8 out of 10 score from Metal Injection recognized the band's consistent expertise and singled out tracks such as "Wax Wings" and "Zagreus" as essential additions to any playlist.
MetalSucks awarded a perfect rating as well, describing the album as an exceptional example of Periphery’s signature sound characterized by heavy riffs and intricate rhythms. Riff noted that while djent may not constitute an official genre classification, it remains a defining auditory hallmark for the group. Additionally, Wall of Sound provided a favorable review, considering it another standout entry in Periphery’s discography.
Personnel
Periphery
- Spencer Sotelo – lead vocals
- Misha "Bulb" Mansoor – guitars, keyboards, programming, orchestration
- Jake Bowen – guitars, keyboards, programming, backing vocals
- Mark Holcomb – guitars
- Matt Halpern – drums
Additional musicians
- Adam "Nolly" Getgood – bass guitar, mixing, drum production
- Jørgen Munkeby – saxophone featured on "Wildfire"
- Raoul Ahmad, Alec Eitrem, Tai Wright, Mikey Tucker, Liam Schmucker, Bryan Caudill – choir vocalists
Additional personnel
- Sebastian Sendon – assistant mixing, editing for drums and bass
- Mike Kalajian – mastering engineer
- Travis Smith – artwork and layout design
Charts
Template:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chart| Chart (2023) | Highest position |
|---|---|
| Japanese Digital Albums (Oricon) | 48 |
| US Billboard 200 | 198 |
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