Review by Adam M on May 25, 2017.

Asira performs a very ethereal form of metal music. The riffs here transport you to another atmosphere that feels good and breezy. The similarities lie to a band like Alcest that also performs this type of atmospheric music. The mood created is one of contentment and satisfaction here. The songs emit a positive vibe and it bleeds through to every aspect of the music.

The guitars have that ethereal touch that is splendid to behold. The singing does a nice job of complementing the music, but is nothing to write home about. Still, it’s the guitar work that transports the listener to another plane of existence. To go along with the mood created there is a certain depth to songs that are performed in such a fashion that will keep you coming back for more. The music has that natural ability to draw the listener in for repeated listens and this is a huge credit to the band. There is a certain touch to the proceedings that is largely likeable and lends credence to the replay value to be found here. The mood that is created is largely happy and this needs to be discussed more. It has a manner of making the listener feel contented and this is what leads to the replay value present. It is rare to find such an uplifting piece of work and that is why it is such a worthy entry to the metal genre. The songs glide by and catch your attention each time.

This is a really nice piece of music and it fits in nicely to the more harsh metal entries of the year. It is nice to have a counterbalance of a positive sounding recording and that’s exactly the balance that is struck here.  The only downside is that it fails to have a huge impact upon the listener. Efference comes recommended to all fans of atmospheric music, however.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Review by JD on June 18, 2014.

There are times, I wonder about the state of metal. These days the extreme glut of certain styles seems to be quickly and disastrously diluting the whole scene with each clone band that comes out. There are times, I agree with this idea with great disgust following, and other times… it is the furthest from the truth. That said…I was given the Illinois based band called Central Disorder, and my mind reverted to that same question once again.

It seems that this band has brought together their favorite genres of metal: melodic death metal, screaming thrash and even some crossover punk. Think of it as a intersection between early Sepultura, Overkill and with blitzing punk crossover like Agnostic Front. Brutal, raw and aggressive with detail on building melody as well – it was not what I expected and happily it was better.

Across the board, this EP is packed full of intense riffs and battering beats that scream metal. Songs like the skull-pounding "Distorted Existence" and the furious "(Die) For Your Sins" are blazing with fury and aggression that is like a sonic concussion straight into your frontal cortex. All this band needs is a better producer, major label backing and time to perfect their sound… then there is no telling what Central Disorder could create.

The band is not reinventing the wheel nor are they charting new territory here… although they are inventing their own way to brutality. If they can be given the right circumstances and a wee bit of luck to go along with it, Central Disorder might become a potent force to be seen and heard. They have talent galore, they just need to focus on the other details to get to that next level.

Rating: 8 out of 10