Post by Nick Potatoes on Oct 12, 2012 0:58:59 GMT -5
Welcome to The Picquerist's Cell --- A place that isn't traveled by many, purely by word of mouth. But, if you dare to live big, come gather round and have a listen. Rants, concert and music reviews, and all sorts of crazy madness will occur here. Chances are, it won't be pretty, just making sure that is clear before we move forward. Fair enough? There is your disclaimer. Alright? Cool.
*First review, so have a heart*
I have been waiting for this one for a while --- the new Between the Buried and Me entitled "The Parallax II: Future Sequence". I decided to write this review for a new comer to the band or someone who has never heard of them.
To put it simply, BTBAM is as close to a 'metling pot' of modern music as it gets. At the core, they're a progressive metal band, but that tag doesn't do them justice. They incorporate many styles including jazz, classical, blues, death metal, often all in one epic length track. On that note, you will find track lengths ranging from 90 seconds to well over 14 minutes. But, they manage to pull it off in a controlled way, with great arrangements and technically proficient as any other band out there.
Leading up to the release this week, BTBAM released an EP called - The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues. This release basically has set up the story which is being told. For the first time in their careers, their album tells a complete story, their first real concept album since 'Colors', largely looked at as their most accomplished work. So, the story is we have these two characters that are travelling through space and time (album art), and are tasked with ridding the world of it's flaws by any means necessary. I got a real 2001: A Space Odyssey feel from this album.
Let's go through the 12 tracks, totaling 72 minutes, another milestone for the band, both in running time and splits. I like to look at this as several epic tracks split by beautifully odd transitions.
T01. Goodbye to Everything: While reading the lyrics, this track marks the end of the story. Something big has happened, and reality is questioned. Keys and acoustics shine here. Somber and beautiful
T02. Astral Body: Flash back to the beginning of the action if you will. This is the new single and video to go along with it above. Thomas Giles vocals transition from harsh growls and screams to beautifully sung harmonies, really outdoing himself here.
T03. Lay Your Ghosts to Rest: The first stand out split, the standard BTBAM style that has made them famous, odd circus organs, blast beat drumming, guitar solos all woven into a 10 minute plus opus.
T04. Autumn: This is one of those transitions I spoke of before. The mild break you need before another lengthy adventure. Strange bleeps and bloops and other odd ends abound. Yet, oddly enough sets up the next one perfectly.
T05. Extremophile Elite: The drum work really shines early on here. Complex, very technical. Even before the snare kicks in, we see more of what makes BTBAM unusual. An electronic opening sequence.
"To see one's self is hard to explain. Last night was the first notion of this. Once again real life and dreams are whirling amongst one another."
One of the character's is having what looks like an out of body experience, seeing his "Astral Body" and the thoughts crossing his mind.
T06. Parallax: "Every time I closed my eyes, I saw my astral body in space. For nights on end I watched myself. I knew our pain was the same - Loss - Self doubt -Isolation. Neither constructed or taken away. We have always known our options. It was the relativity of time and space in our shared conscious which brought us together. Now we are one. Two forces entwined to make a decision."
For my money, the character is coming to terms with what he has become and what decisions need to be made. All spoken word here, with a great keys section. Another transition.
T07. The Black Box: Starts off with beautiful vocals, to harsher melodies. Our character is gaining knowledge ... capable of flight... becoming a monster even ..... a transition to something big...
T08. Telos: This was the first single released for the album. This features the heaviest riffage and growls on the LP. Now while I saw that, about 3 minutes in, here comes the meletron! You simply never know whats coming around the corner with these guys. There is even a horn section near the end!
T09. Bloom: Such a BTBAM track here. Heavy growls with a blues riff to break it up. Weird old school riff, strange noises, fancy piano work, yet it works.
T10. Melting City: Dark lyrics surround this tightly woven track, one of my favorites. Guitar and flute solo, how can you beat that?!
T11. Silent Flight Parliament: This is essentially the end of the album. An epic track of epic proportions. It concludes the story, which as you can imagine by now will not end well for this world. Everyone on here is on point, the guitar work and keys are great, and the rhythm section excels.
"Jet propulsion disengage. Dancing towards our future. A future of nothing. A future towards nothing. Goodbye to everything"
T12. Goodbye to Everything Reprise: Another instrumentation. The story is over, it's goodbye to everything.
This album measures up to their other work, neck and neck with Colors. This album could be a lot to take in for the first time. But like all of their albums, you warm up to them, and for me, I have a great appreciation for the instrumentation throughout this epic release. A must have for any BTBAM fan. For a curious soul, check out Colors first, then come back to this.
Bottom line: A great metal album. Very progressive, has a little of everything.
Rating: 9 out of 10
*First review, so have a heart*
I have been waiting for this one for a while --- the new Between the Buried and Me entitled "The Parallax II: Future Sequence". I decided to write this review for a new comer to the band or someone who has never heard of them.
To put it simply, BTBAM is as close to a 'metling pot' of modern music as it gets. At the core, they're a progressive metal band, but that tag doesn't do them justice. They incorporate many styles including jazz, classical, blues, death metal, often all in one epic length track. On that note, you will find track lengths ranging from 90 seconds to well over 14 minutes. But, they manage to pull it off in a controlled way, with great arrangements and technically proficient as any other band out there.
Leading up to the release this week, BTBAM released an EP called - The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues. This release basically has set up the story which is being told. For the first time in their careers, their album tells a complete story, their first real concept album since 'Colors', largely looked at as their most accomplished work. So, the story is we have these two characters that are travelling through space and time (album art), and are tasked with ridding the world of it's flaws by any means necessary. I got a real 2001: A Space Odyssey feel from this album.
Let's go through the 12 tracks, totaling 72 minutes, another milestone for the band, both in running time and splits. I like to look at this as several epic tracks split by beautifully odd transitions.
T01. Goodbye to Everything: While reading the lyrics, this track marks the end of the story. Something big has happened, and reality is questioned. Keys and acoustics shine here. Somber and beautiful
T02. Astral Body: Flash back to the beginning of the action if you will. This is the new single and video to go along with it above. Thomas Giles vocals transition from harsh growls and screams to beautifully sung harmonies, really outdoing himself here.
T03. Lay Your Ghosts to Rest: The first stand out split, the standard BTBAM style that has made them famous, odd circus organs, blast beat drumming, guitar solos all woven into a 10 minute plus opus.
T04. Autumn: This is one of those transitions I spoke of before. The mild break you need before another lengthy adventure. Strange bleeps and bloops and other odd ends abound. Yet, oddly enough sets up the next one perfectly.
T05. Extremophile Elite: The drum work really shines early on here. Complex, very technical. Even before the snare kicks in, we see more of what makes BTBAM unusual. An electronic opening sequence.
"To see one's self is hard to explain. Last night was the first notion of this. Once again real life and dreams are whirling amongst one another."
One of the character's is having what looks like an out of body experience, seeing his "Astral Body" and the thoughts crossing his mind.
T06. Parallax: "Every time I closed my eyes, I saw my astral body in space. For nights on end I watched myself. I knew our pain was the same - Loss - Self doubt -Isolation. Neither constructed or taken away. We have always known our options. It was the relativity of time and space in our shared conscious which brought us together. Now we are one. Two forces entwined to make a decision."
For my money, the character is coming to terms with what he has become and what decisions need to be made. All spoken word here, with a great keys section. Another transition.
T07. The Black Box: Starts off with beautiful vocals, to harsher melodies. Our character is gaining knowledge ... capable of flight... becoming a monster even ..... a transition to something big...
T08. Telos: This was the first single released for the album. This features the heaviest riffage and growls on the LP. Now while I saw that, about 3 minutes in, here comes the meletron! You simply never know whats coming around the corner with these guys. There is even a horn section near the end!
T09. Bloom: Such a BTBAM track here. Heavy growls with a blues riff to break it up. Weird old school riff, strange noises, fancy piano work, yet it works.
T10. Melting City: Dark lyrics surround this tightly woven track, one of my favorites. Guitar and flute solo, how can you beat that?!
T11. Silent Flight Parliament: This is essentially the end of the album. An epic track of epic proportions. It concludes the story, which as you can imagine by now will not end well for this world. Everyone on here is on point, the guitar work and keys are great, and the rhythm section excels.
"Jet propulsion disengage. Dancing towards our future. A future of nothing. A future towards nothing. Goodbye to everything"
T12. Goodbye to Everything Reprise: Another instrumentation. The story is over, it's goodbye to everything.
This album measures up to their other work, neck and neck with Colors. This album could be a lot to take in for the first time. But like all of their albums, you warm up to them, and for me, I have a great appreciation for the instrumentation throughout this epic release. A must have for any BTBAM fan. For a curious soul, check out Colors first, then come back to this.
Bottom line: A great metal album. Very progressive, has a little of everything.
Rating: 9 out of 10
