Sometimes, I shy away from writing reviews of supremely
hyped, eagerly anticipated albums because I know EVERY metal blogger in the
world is cranking out the same review. Really,
what new insight do I have to add?
Probably none, to be frank. But
then, IT CAME. The clear, designed-to-part-you-from-your-money
limited edition vinyl came. And it is beautiful.
So, here goes. After some…less than stellar reunion albums, I tried not to think about Gorguts’ release. The first single (Forgotten Arrows) was awesome, but who releases a crappy single?
But no, this album doesn’t disappoint. Not at all. It opens with La Toit Du Monde, which Google tells me means “The Roofs of the World” or “The Top of The World.” Well, after hearing that track, I am on top of the world. I know the album will absolutely fucking slay from here on out. If I were in Gorguts, I’d be on top of the world too. Those guys must have grinned ear to ear for like, a month, when they first heard the album in its entirety.
My buddy Shawn over at Universe Number Five wrote that he “pities the fool who’dtry to review this one song at a time.” And he’s totally right. Each song is It’s devastatingly heavy but also jazzy and complex. I appreciate that Luc Lemay and Co. took the time to create a really dark and angry atmosphere. After meeting Lemay in person at MDF 2010, it’s funny to think that something so incredibly pissed sounding could come from that perfectly charming man’s brain. And mouth. His screams! It sounds like he’s three seconds from beating the absolute piss out of someone who has wronged him. (That is literally only a compliment in the death metal world. Also, Luc Lemay, if you can see this, I wish you were my uncle.)
I know it’s been out a while, but I love Forgotten Arrows. Have you heard a deeper, more pulsating, more memorable bass tone? FUCK. It’s like I need to punch the walls and every single person around me. Twice. And that solo on Colored Sands? Killer. Every song- including the instrumental Battle of Chamdo- is meticulously crafted. I liked the instrumental break- although I’ve heard (wrong) opinions to the contrary. Still dark, it sounds like the score of a very gruesome and violent war movie. This would be the scene where the protagonist loses his lover by an enemy bullet or something. AND THEN, Enemies of Compassion. Shit, I needed that little instrumental break after all. Not a single second of this album was less than painstakingly composed, thought about, and thought about some more.
It’s technical enough for gear heads and will please any musician, but is thoughtful and a fun enough listen for those of us who just want to hear something that crushes.
So, here goes. After some…less than stellar reunion albums, I tried not to think about Gorguts’ release. The first single (Forgotten Arrows) was awesome, but who releases a crappy single?
But no, this album doesn’t disappoint. Not at all. It opens with La Toit Du Monde, which Google tells me means “The Roofs of the World” or “The Top of The World.” Well, after hearing that track, I am on top of the world. I know the album will absolutely fucking slay from here on out. If I were in Gorguts, I’d be on top of the world too. Those guys must have grinned ear to ear for like, a month, when they first heard the album in its entirety.
My buddy Shawn over at Universe Number Five wrote that he “pities the fool who’dtry to review this one song at a time.” And he’s totally right. Each song is It’s devastatingly heavy but also jazzy and complex. I appreciate that Luc Lemay and Co. took the time to create a really dark and angry atmosphere. After meeting Lemay in person at MDF 2010, it’s funny to think that something so incredibly pissed sounding could come from that perfectly charming man’s brain. And mouth. His screams! It sounds like he’s three seconds from beating the absolute piss out of someone who has wronged him. (That is literally only a compliment in the death metal world. Also, Luc Lemay, if you can see this, I wish you were my uncle.)
I know it’s been out a while, but I love Forgotten Arrows. Have you heard a deeper, more pulsating, more memorable bass tone? FUCK. It’s like I need to punch the walls and every single person around me. Twice. And that solo on Colored Sands? Killer. Every song- including the instrumental Battle of Chamdo- is meticulously crafted. I liked the instrumental break- although I’ve heard (wrong) opinions to the contrary. Still dark, it sounds like the score of a very gruesome and violent war movie. This would be the scene where the protagonist loses his lover by an enemy bullet or something. AND THEN, Enemies of Compassion. Shit, I needed that little instrumental break after all. Not a single second of this album was less than painstakingly composed, thought about, and thought about some more.
It’s technical enough for gear heads and will please any musician, but is thoughtful and a fun enough listen for those of us who just want to hear something that crushes.
I don’t know how they did it- how they created such a
beautifully complex, interesting, heavy, dark and twisted album. I know
everyone in the free world has heard this already…but just go ahead and toss it
on. Don’t think, don’t analyze, just
listen and succumb. If I have to wait twelve years to get another
album I love this much, I will happily do it.
(But please don’t make me.)
10/10
ALBUM OF THE YEAR CONTENDER
(But please don’t make me.)
10/10
ALBUM OF THE YEAR CONTENDER
