Envy Abyssal
  full reviewuser ratings (62) 
Tracklist:
1. A Road Of Winds The Water Builds
2. All That's Left Has Gone To Sleep
3. Thousand Scars
4. Fading Vision


Release Date: 2007

user rating
4
excellent
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  On 5 Lists

4.0
excellent
Channing Freeman STAFF (78 Reviews)

2008-01-19 | 33 comments | 3,135 views

Japanese band Envy seem to get better as they move farther away from their hardcore roots and into the realm of post rock. While they were still very good as a screamo band, the sound they have carved out on their latest records suits them better. Even though the aspects of post rock they draw on seem cliche, such as buildups and climaxes, their music is still incredibly fresh because of the screamo elements still present in their music. This latest EP Abyssal serves as a bridge between their last album Insomniac Doze and their much-anticipated new release.

With these four songs, Envy have further developed the heavy post-whatever influences heard on Insomniac Doze. "A Road Of Winds The Water Builds" seems to be the main focus of the EP, clocking in at ten minutes and running the gamut of Envy's bag of tricks. The song is all waves, building up and crashing constantly. The thing that's cool about Envy is that nowadays even when they allude to their past and play intense hardcore parts, they are very sludgy and slow-burning yet they don't lose any intensity along the way. The middle of the song is one of the best moments of 2007; the clean vocals, ascending guitar riffs, and crashing drums all combine to make perhaps the most moving section Envy has ever recorded. "All That's Left Has Gone To Sleep" is the song that is most similar to the stuff heard on the band's earlier releases, fast and chaotic for all of its four minute length. "Thousand Scars" is like a shorter version of "A Road Of Winds...", starting out with a heavy section and progressing into a beautiful clean buildup into the song's climax. The EP ends with "Fading Vision," a tranquil, retrospective piece that has some spoken word stuff that Envy have done before on previous albums; it's a nice breather from some of the more intense parts of the EP.

Abyssal is certainly a very strong EP, housing some of the coolest and most beautiful moments Envy have put to tape. I'm a huge fan of the sound that Envy have crafted for themselves these past few years. They have combined the best parts of multiple genres and in my opinion they are one of the finest bands out there right now not just in their respective scene but in all of music.

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Comments:Add a Comment 
mynameischan
Staff Reviewer


Comments: 14638
01.19.08

Album Rating: 4

nice soundoff

Digging: Circa Survive - Blue Sky Noise

IsItLuck?
Staff Reviewer


Comments: 4606
01.20.08


sounds interesting. i never know when they release shit.

Digging: Lightning Bolt - Earthly Delights

mynameischan
Staff Reviewer


Comments: 14638
01.20.08

Album Rating: 4

they put out a dvd that look awesome but i can't find it for under 35 bucks

rasputin
Contributing Reviewer


Comments: 10772
01.20.08


Nice review. I find it slightly amusing to think of a Japanese emo band.

Digging: Dystopia - Human = Garbage

planewreck
Staff Reviewer


Comments: 3921
01.20.08


why

Digging: Menomena - Mines

rasputin
Contributing Reviewer


Comments: 10772
01.20.08


Not sure.

DFelon204409
Staff Reviewer


Comments: 3914
01.20.08


Hey chan when I was 16 I was listening to Thrice and Thursday. Get real dude and listen to some less elite stuff. Japanese screamo?!?!? So elite.

Digging: Dolcim - We Carry the Fire

mynameischan
Staff Reviewer


Comments: 14638
01.20.08

Album Rating: 4

mkay

masscows


Comments: 2236
01.20.08


I feel like I should check these guys out because what I've heard from them wasn't typical run-of-the-mill screamo. One of my friends is into them quite a bit, I'll ask him for some stuff and maybe check this out. The 'review' was good enough, it's just an EP after all.

Digging: Pg. 99 - Document #8

Killed4less


Comments: 328
01.20.08


Yeah Envy aren't very typical in their overall sound, like the review said they use post-rock cliches but they're execution is original. I need to be in the right mood for Envy but this seems pretty cool, I'll get it...eventuallyThis Message Edited On 01.20.08

Confessed2005


Comments: 3293
01.21.08


A Dead Sinking Story was incredible. I haven't heard anything else by them so I might try this.

cbmartinez


Comments: 2116
01.21.08


Look into Insomniac Doze

Digging: Pantha Du Prince - Black Noise

Doppelganger


Comments: 3124
01.31.08

Album Rating: 4

This is really really really good.

Digging: Bill Callahan - Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle

JordanS


Comments: 285
01.31.08


Good review Chan, this is a delightful EP. I love some Envy, although I prefer their earlier works with a bit more screaming.

If anyone likes the earlier Envy sound, check out Hollow Jan. It's not quite as good, but is some pretty awesome Korean screamo.

Imdrunksowhat


Comments: 8
01.31.08

Album Rating: 4

I love Envy so much

Digging: Dilute - Grape Blueprints Pour Spinach Olive Grape

Persata


Comments: 42
02.10.08


Seeing Envy play "A Road of Winds..." live was one of my best experiences. The buildup at the end just kept filling and filling the venue, it was immense.

Love this EP. Oh, anyone else think his singing has gotten a little more tuneful?

Digging: Emery - ...In Shallow Seas We Sail

mynameischan
Staff Reviewer


Comments: 14638
02.10.08

Album Rating: 4

Yeah definitely. The singing is one of my favorite parts of this.

P13


Comments: 1325
08.10.08


i'm going to look into these guys, they sound pretty good

Digging: Talk Talk - The Colour of Spring

Doppelganger


Comments: 3124
09.07.08

Album Rating: 4

Damn this is still awesome.

handoman


Comments: 2271
10.06.08


Whats the first Envy album I should get?

Digging: Kane Cooper - I Like Metal, Just Not Bad Metal



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