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This is rather simplistically labelled “groove metal” by the folks over at the Encyclopedia Metallum, which, I am forced to draw deeply on my powers of analytical insight to say, is stupid. For sure, at times it grooves like a bastard, but this is an epic amalgamation of proggy adventurism, “post”-y washes and occasionally “core”-ish vocal delivery.
Lazarus lays its artsy cards on the table right from the off, opening with the 15 minute epic To Walk Among Them. It’s definitely of the post-Opeth school of Very Long Songs, in that it shifts regularly between a procession of ideas, using gentle proggy cleverness to draw you into a series of climactic metallic rushes. Those sceptics that have so cruelly suggested that Mike Akerfeldt’s songs are little more than a parade of disconnected ideas stitched together to produce songs that are long for the sake of being long, may be comforted to learn that this hangs together well, with everything seeming in place and appropriately preceded. Nonetheless, you do feel that there is an upper level of intensity that is reached early on, and then re-approached from different angles repeatedly. It makes the song hard to digest and recognise as an integrated whole. This record positions itself firmly on metal’s cutting edge; although I’ve namedropped Opeth, the more appropriate comparisons are bands such as Meshuggah and Gojira, plus maybe even Madder Mortem, in its juxtaposition of powerful but accessible, headbanging riffs with thoughtful melodic ideas. Heavy rhythmic intensity is the order of the day for much of this, as with Act of God, and the time-shifting title track. This often sits very effectively alongside the brooding light-and-shade passages that you really need to have a handle on if you want to produce an album of songs averaging about 9 minutes long. Some of the angry crescendos almost have a Neurosis feel, but on the whole this is cleaner and less esoteric than that. There is clearly a more “mainstream” side to this, which is no bad thing, as the Tool-like riffing that opens A World of Lies illustrates. But the real high point is Awakening, which builds from a rich proggy opening a la Damnation, into a violent squalling solo. It’s a good album, accessible and experimental, but perhaps it doesn’t offer that much excitement to those who are already very familiar with the bands I’ve mentioned here as comparisons. There’s definitely a lot of depth to it, though, and it bears many repeat listens. Highly worthwhile. |
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Killing Songs : Awakening, Lazarus, Act of God |
Charles quoted 79 / 100 | |||||
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