Its probably the best produced album ive heard all year. The heavy sounds real heavy. Lot if emotion and energy. And seagulls.
One thing that sticks out among more mixed reactions has been the constant criticism over Stef's guitar playing. I always found it weird to read that people not only expect but really want him to go soloing / shredding mode, just on the basis of having a 9 string guitar. He's never been that kind of guitarist and to be honest, I doubt it'd serve the song or make the band better. It's always been a curious misconception about their potential imo. As a chaotic guitarist myself, I wish I could write songs with such a successfull less is more approach. They know how to make the slightly technical / curveball-y riffs hit even harder.
Just finished listening to the new Action Bronson and currently listening to the new Idles. This is next on the list.
This Link Is Dead was one of my least favourites on my first one or two listens. It took a bit of adjusting after the brilliance before it. Love it now. Great song.
First listen let’s gooooo. Genesis gets better each time. Ceremony is nice and chill, “it’s an illusion”
The harmonies during the “I believe your ???” Part and snaps in the spell of mathematics, nice touch.
Man the juxtaposition between the verses and chorus of Pompeji is keeping me on my toes. Love the post-chorus part though. Seagulls ftw.
This link is dead really let’s you know something crazy is about to kick in. Vocals give off a very self titled vibe. Kind of an existential dread vibe running through this one. Abe kills it at the end.
Radiant city - BASS. These verses are so good. Keys sound great. Chorus is a curveball. Verse riff reminds of Gore’s title track, love that a lot.
Headless is smooth. Chorus is massive. Honestly this might be my favorite, along with Error. Ohms as a closer rules. okay. Really liked it, and it was heavy at points, but not any more or less than any of the last 3-4 albums. Riffs harder than Gore for sure, and it’s more straightforward than KNY. Kind of feels like a companion piece to DE more than anything, but there’s a little bit from all their past stuff in here. Can’t wait to get more listens in, and thanks for letting me blow up the thread at 6am.
I got a second listen in and Spell of Mathematics, Radiant City and Headless are pulling ahead. The latter sounds like it would sit comfortably on kny. I'm not as enamoured with Pompeji as others seem to be in here, though the interlude at the end is lovely.
Also shoutout to The Ocean also releasing their album today, if you like ANYTHING about progressive metal, please listen to that.