Temple of the Diagonal's debut album, "Deviations," is a bold entry into the industrial metal genre, I tried to pin it down as a mechanized assault of hard-core industrial rock but it’s so much more than that and the only way to give it justice is to do a track by track analysis. Spanning 12 tracks over 60 minutes, this two-man project by Quills and Jupiter from Cleveland, Ohio, is a testament to the DIY ethos. Entirely home-recorded, mixed, and mastered, the album is a rich tapestry of industrial, doom, symphonic, atmospheric, and straight-up metal, reminiscent of Rammstein, Marilyn Manson, Deadsy, Gary Numan, and even hints of Faith No More and Queen, hell even Fear Factory! If that unique mash up doesn't tickle your interest, you've no sense of adventure!

"Opening The Eye": The album kicks off with an atmospheric track that feels like a tribute to game soundtracks from the '90s, especially ones like 'Quake' 'Doom' or 'Descent’, in fact, this track would have stood out if it were among any of those which is a testament to what these guys are trying to achieve here. The prominent bass line and synth soundscaping are standout elements, demonstrating a Trent Reznor influence.

"House Of The Slanted": This track begins with a suspense-filled shaky guitar riff that quickly transcends as the powerful double bass onslaught begins. The Sybreed/Fear Factory vibe perfectly encapsulates the atmosphere the song aims to convey. A nice introduction to what the band can throw at the listener. "Outside The Circle": After a mysterious guitar lick, we are hit with a powerful Meshuggah-like chugging riff and a vocal style reminiscent of something off the "Queen of the Damned" soundtrack. The ringing guitar chords add a haunting dimension to the already intense composition. This is fuel for an entire Hammer horror film.

"Pilgrim": A nod to Marilyn Manson's Spooky Kids era, with synths akin to Gary Numan or Deadsy. The song takes a turn around the five-minute mark with choir-like synths leading into a head-banging guitar riff. The seven-minute mark is particularly gripping, featuring a dramatic drum sequence.

"Pestilentia": The track starts with a Paradise Lost-type piano intro before diving into a heavy, downtrodden guitar riff. The emotional weight carried by the drums and keys is palpable, creating an atmosphere of unease. One of the best songs off the album along with "Outside The Circle" and the next upcoming song. "Hooks And Fingers": Horror synth leads into a Rammstein/Manson-style guitar riff, showcasing the band's versatility and the album's diverse range. The layered effect of the music recalls that of Ministry and the vocalist writhes with a cool, sinister and taunting feel — eerie synthesizer-type whistles, heavy breathing, monster groans and grunts — before lurching out from the shadows with hammering percussion to end the song. 6 songs in and we are given a good idea of what this duo is capable of. It is certainly a strong start to the album and albums nowadays need to been front loaded like this to keep the listener moving throughout the album as most streams/listens tend to hit the first half of the album.

Have a listen to the album below ->

"Upgrade": This track exudes a 'cold mechanical' feeling with robotic bleeps and horror-like synths. It's an auditory representation of a machine-like Frankenstein coming to life, though it could benefit from being slightly shorter to maintain cohesion. "Without A Beak": Influences from Fields of the Nephilim are evident, especially in the clean guitars that drive the first two minutes. The transition to distorted guitars brings a classic Marilyn Manson vibe. "Dark Matter": Possibly the album's weak point, it feels more like a B-side in comparison to the strength of the other tracks.

"Event Horizon": An instrumental track that conjures a sense of dread, which would have fit perfectly on the actual film soundtrack. It serves as a perfect setup for the following song. "Bones Of Adam": A seven-minute epic that encapsulates the album's essence, combining all the thematic and musical elements into a vast industrial doom landscape.

"Deviations": The closing track, another instrumental, doesn't quite hit the mark following "Event Horizon." It might have worked better as an extension of "Bones Of Adam," providing a more cohesive end to the album but this is really nitpicking when trying to critique the album as a whole. Check out their bandcamp below!



"Deviations" is a remarkably confident debut, showcasing Quills and Jupiter's songwriting prowess and their knack for creating an engaging concept album. Their exploration of unique musical themes is both ambitious and impressive. The album would have been near-perfect with 10 tracks and a few tweaks, but as it stands, it's an excellent example of hard-hitting, innovative music in the industrial metal genre. Each track brings its own flavor, contributing to a rich, diverse soundscape. The duo's attention to detail in track placement ensures a compelling journey from start to finish. Their DIY approach adds a raw, authentic quality to the album, which is rare in today's highly produced music scene.

Temple of the Diagonal's "Deviations" is an album not to be overlooked. It's a powerful debut that promises great things for the future of this Cleveland duo. The album's diverse influences and strong thematic coherence make it a must-listen for fans of industrial metal and beyond. With "Deviations," Temple of the Diagonal has set a high bar for themselves and the genre as a whole. They are also exploring unique musical themes and for that I applaud them and encourage them to keep going as it's seriously impressive to these ears. Definitely do not sleep on this one folks. It’s intoxicating, terrifying and cathartic.

Song highlights: "Outside The Circle" / "Pestilentia" / "Hooks And Fingers" / "Without A Beak" / "Bones Of Adam"

Youtube Music? Check out Temple Of The Diagonal here!