Cognizance is a death metal that feels like it's trying to be some high concept band but really just makes some well-engineered generic death metal. Like their name and song titles, they have an air of mystery to them that makes them see they will have some grand bravados to them but ultimately just falls short and doesn’t really do much to impress you. The band seems to have all the elements of a great death metal band. Heavy and ripping guitars. Tight and fast drumming. Bass that has a groovy touch to it. Vocals that sound really brutal. However, it feels like the songs are missing some catchiness or uniqueness to them. Nothing outside the interesting band name; nothing really sticks out about the music. I feel they want to be some high concept band, but outside a few intriguing riffs, they sound like any death metal band in the last 20 years. Now I will say the production on here is good. The riffs have a decent crunch to them, and the mixing and layering are impressive. You can tell they are well-trained musicians. Unfortunately, they seem to be another dime a dozen metal bands.