Post by blueflame17 on Mar 31, 2011 16:49:58 GMT -5
Well, it took long enough to get into my mailbox, but today I finally got to rip open that package and listen to the entire album!
First off, let me say that I had no idea what to expect with this album before listening to Magnetic Sky. I remember a comment being made about the album sounding like.. uh.. what was it? penguins, motorcycles in space, epicness... or something of that nature. Either way, I couldn't help but cringe a little bit. However, after hearing Magnetic Sky, I immediately knew I needed to get the album, and eagerly I awaited.
Now since this album is called one of their most experimental albums, this is one of the main things I would like to talk about. I was already under the impression that Dichotomy took that role, so I wondered exactly how weird could they make the album? Dichotomy took me by surprise in a few ways, but unfortunately not all in good ways either.
With Dichotomy, I felt that all of the effects and experimental portions were a little too forced upon the songs, as if to say "check out these cool sounds we threw in there! isn't that something different?" meanwhile the actual structure of the songs did nothing to take me by surprise... "Oh yes, here comes the piano break, verse chorus, verse chorus, chanting, etc. etc.." However, Celestial Completion, although perhaps more ambitious in its experimental qualities, felt very natural and was actually quite refreshing. Yes, there may be weird sections, but imo they were very tastefully done. The songs didn't seem so "tampered" with, if you catch my drift..
A good example I can talk about is "Cardiac Rebellion". Since I held off on listening to each song before the albums release (with the exception of Magnetic Sky), all I could do was read what people had to say about the songs. "Cardiac Rebellion" was coined by Seth as one of their most experimental songs, almost as if to caution the fans.. And it didn't quite seem the reactions to the song were entirely pleased. How over the top can this song be? Would the antics of "Deep Heaven" be repeated tenfold? I ask myself. After hearing it, let's just say it was a lot better than everyone had me anticipating. The horn section, although very different from a traditional metal album, left no hesitation in jumping right in and making me feel like I was on the same ride. I was digging it, a lot! It wasn't like, "check out this crazy section!" like "Deep Heaven" seemed to do which to me felt way out of place, it was more like, "time to go on a ride, and there's no turning back now"..In fact, the whole album just seemed to have a very clear idea of what it wanted to convey with each song. It all just flowed so natural to me. There was never a moment where I felt a certain section or riff was out of place. It didn't have an identity crisis I guess is a good way to put it. Very refreshing indeed.
Celestial Completion made me feel very involved- where there was heavy riffs I genuinely had the urge to headbang (when was the last time that happened?) when there were chants, I wanted to yell along, and hell yes, when there was a brass section, I wanted to skank like madman around a tribal bonfire.
All I can say now is, congratulations on the album! Very great work! I shall be listening to it a lot more in times to come. Oh, and keep in mind these were my thoughts after my first listen of the album. Who knows what opinions are bound to change.. All I can say now is that I loved it, and would also love to hear what the rest of you guys thought
First off, let me say that I had no idea what to expect with this album before listening to Magnetic Sky. I remember a comment being made about the album sounding like.. uh.. what was it? penguins, motorcycles in space, epicness... or something of that nature. Either way, I couldn't help but cringe a little bit. However, after hearing Magnetic Sky, I immediately knew I needed to get the album, and eagerly I awaited.
Now since this album is called one of their most experimental albums, this is one of the main things I would like to talk about. I was already under the impression that Dichotomy took that role, so I wondered exactly how weird could they make the album? Dichotomy took me by surprise in a few ways, but unfortunately not all in good ways either.
With Dichotomy, I felt that all of the effects and experimental portions were a little too forced upon the songs, as if to say "check out these cool sounds we threw in there! isn't that something different?" meanwhile the actual structure of the songs did nothing to take me by surprise... "Oh yes, here comes the piano break, verse chorus, verse chorus, chanting, etc. etc.." However, Celestial Completion, although perhaps more ambitious in its experimental qualities, felt very natural and was actually quite refreshing. Yes, there may be weird sections, but imo they were very tastefully done. The songs didn't seem so "tampered" with, if you catch my drift..
A good example I can talk about is "Cardiac Rebellion". Since I held off on listening to each song before the albums release (with the exception of Magnetic Sky), all I could do was read what people had to say about the songs. "Cardiac Rebellion" was coined by Seth as one of their most experimental songs, almost as if to caution the fans.. And it didn't quite seem the reactions to the song were entirely pleased. How over the top can this song be? Would the antics of "Deep Heaven" be repeated tenfold? I ask myself. After hearing it, let's just say it was a lot better than everyone had me anticipating. The horn section, although very different from a traditional metal album, left no hesitation in jumping right in and making me feel like I was on the same ride. I was digging it, a lot! It wasn't like, "check out this crazy section!" like "Deep Heaven" seemed to do which to me felt way out of place, it was more like, "time to go on a ride, and there's no turning back now"..In fact, the whole album just seemed to have a very clear idea of what it wanted to convey with each song. It all just flowed so natural to me. There was never a moment where I felt a certain section or riff was out of place. It didn't have an identity crisis I guess is a good way to put it. Very refreshing indeed.
Celestial Completion made me feel very involved- where there was heavy riffs I genuinely had the urge to headbang (when was the last time that happened?) when there were chants, I wanted to yell along, and hell yes, when there was a brass section, I wanted to skank like madman around a tribal bonfire.
All I can say now is, congratulations on the album! Very great work! I shall be listening to it a lot more in times to come. Oh, and keep in mind these were my thoughts after my first listen of the album. Who knows what opinions are bound to change.. All I can say now is that I loved it, and would also love to hear what the rest of you guys thought