It's clear from the very unorthodox opening track of Magma that something about Gojira is very different this time around. "The Shooting Star" is a sharp left-turn from the normally high-energy and driving tracks Gojira chooses to open their albums, opting instead for a more contemplative and introspective approach, and it more heavily relies on a tool the band has used in the past, but is far more intentional and deliberate this time around: clean vocals. Joe Duplantier's haunting voice carries above the hypnotic melodies and driving rhythms, bringing the listener into an almost trance-like state before bludgeoning them upside the head with the more orthodox riffs of "Silvera." The catchy leads and chorus of this track make it accessible enough for the new metalhead, but the crunchy main riff will satisfy even the most seasoned metal listener.Read the full review by Aaron Lambert at metalinjection.net
The Astonishing is a much more accessible album than Dream Theater has become known for the past decade or so. First of all, it consists of all very short and concise songs. Every song of the 34 songs is its own work, with a beginning and an end – with the notable exception of one track which flows into the next seamlessly. This also means that the music is much more constrained. For the people looking for long epics with extended sections of soloing and back and forth between instrumental dueling instruments, there is very little of that here. In my opinion, this allows the focus be on the story. ...
This is the most varied Dream Theater album released to date. Where else can you find an album that goes from ballad to theatrical prog metal tango, to melodic rock, with bag pipe sections, violin sections, 20s swing sections that go straight into blast beats, to soaring guitar solos, beautiful piano pieces and an orchestra that just embellishes the music to a level above all else.Read the full review at dreamtheater.club
I liken it to how a Protest The Hero record plays out. For example, while retaining the overall frantic nature and angst of the record, “Lone Lust” winds up being the closest thing to a ballad they have. The track is haunting and beautiful while retaining weirdness. A strange line to walk, but they do it well. “Death of A Star,” explores both the grounded almost Clutch-like groove the band has with the more atmospheric side of the band with a massive conclusion to a 6 minute journey through more corners of rock music in a single song than some bands explore on an entire album.Read the full review by Daniel Cordova at metalinjection.net
Their sound is one that brings a lot of bands to mind such as Mutoid Man, Baroness, Mastodon, Converge, Queens of the Stone Age and oddly enough Foxy Shazam (for the unfamiliar, they’re a bombastic alt rock band). This is a band for prog nerds, stoner rockers, math rock fiends, and those fond of atypical musical experiences. Fans of all of these bands should give this trio a listen as I could see them as tour-mates with any and all of them soon enough.
Having taken time to carefully hone their style of the music they love, Empress AD have written an arsenal of songs that veer from an expansive, progressive sound to an aggressive, controlled roar. Citing their influences as Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Mastodon and Opeth, the Berkshire four piece locked themselves away in a UK studio with experienced New York-based producer, Andrew Schneider (Cave In, Pelican, Old Man Gloom) to craft their debut. Their method of recording the music live, quickly, and as organically as possible has led to noticeable nuances within the album – details for the listener to pick up on after repeated plays – but, more importantly, it has led to the kind of natural feel to the music that cannot be replicated with a couple of extra weeks tweaking behind the scenes.
The result is a debut album for the ages. With lyrics that focus upon suggestive metaphors for the intangible minutiae of everyday life rather than relationships and lost love, this is a band of musicians as focused upon grooving together as one as they are on their songwriting and being able to relate to fans on an emotional level. Soothing and utterly crushing in turn, Empress AD’s music juxtaposes gentle harmonies with frantic ferocity; relaxed strumming followed by thrash beats, time signature changes and other meanderings that you’ll just have to find out about for yourself.
The band continues their tradition of not repeating themselves but in a much better, more accessible way than they have in the past. The melodies and riffs from each song are instantly identifiable as that particular song, the new elements incorporated into the music fit extremely well and it seems like the record was written with each separate song in mind. As in it doesn't sound like any particular song revolves around one singular instrument or riff, but has everything beautifully play off each other. Where Heritage and Watershed may have been a little unfocused at time or lost in their own adventure of a new song, this record knows exactly what it's doing and nails it through and through. I'll even go as far as saying this record conveys the widest range of emotions I think I've ever heard Opeth convey, and with unbelievable grace and style. Absolutely none of the writing is heavy-handed in trying to get a point across.
Read the full review by Greg Kennelty at metalinjection.net
