Cognizance is a death metal band that carries an aura of mystery and ambition, yet somehow fails to live up to the high-concept ideas they seem to want to convey. From their name to their song titles, there’s a clear sense that they aspire to be more than just another death metal band. Unfortunately, while they certainly know how to craft technically proficient music, their songs often come across as well-engineered but ultimately generic.

On paper, Cognizance checks all the boxes for a solid death metal band. The guitars are heavy and aggressive, ripping through each track with precision. The drumming is tight, fast, and unrelenting, providing the backbone to the intensity of the music. The bass adds a subtle groove to the chaos, providing a deeper layer that complements the heaviness. And of course, the vocals are brutal, with a guttural delivery that fits perfectly within the death metal style.

However, for all the technical prowess, the songs themselves feel lackluster. Despite the impressive musicianship, there's a lack of memorability to the material. There are a few riffs here and there that catch your ear, but outside of these fleeting moments, the tracks blend together into a sea of unremarkable death metal. The songs seem to miss that spark—the unique hook or standout element—that would make them truly memorable. Instead, they feel like something you've heard a hundred times before, despite the high-concept presentation.

It's clear that the band has talent. The production is solid, with a satisfying crunch to the riffs and an impressive mix that allows each instrument to shine through without muddying the overall sound. The technicality and craftsmanship are evident, and it's clear these are well-trained musicians. But despite all this, the band feels like just another dime-a-dozen death metal act, struggling to differentiate themselves from the countless others in the genre over the last two decades.

In the end, Cognizance shows potential, but their execution doesn't quite match their ambition. They seem to be aiming for something more profound, but without that extra edge or innovation, they fall into the trap of being just another solid but forgettable death metal band.