 | Tracklist:
1. Nostalgia
2. Egress
3. New Setting
4. Stormcalling
5. Adrift
6. Thawing Innocence
7. Stare Into The Sun
8. Canvas For Departure
| Ranking: #59 for 2009 | |
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On 18 Lists
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| Summary: A true progressive metal masterpiece that puts the likes of "Watershed" to shame. |
5 of 7 thought this review was well written
Many bands of the progressive metal genre have been stained with the title “Opeth clones,” and shoved out the door without a second listen. This is not really a fair assumption to make, considering that many newer progressive metal bands have been putting out innovative and intricate music, while Opeth wallows in the same concepts that it has used since its genesis in the early 90’s. Although yes, Opeth is still putting out great albums, legendary records like “BlackWater Park,” and “Still Life,” may never be seen again under the name Opeth. However, bands like Gwynbleidd, with records like this, may be replacing Opeth in only a matter of years.
For a debut album, Nostalgia is immaculately proportioned and beautifully executed. Every element of the music, from the wailing riffs, the forlorn acoustic guitars and even the throaty bass are completely audible throughout the album. Occasionally the deep bass licks will get buried in a wave of grungy guitars, only to reappear amid a group of more timid acoustics that allow the low-end to shine. The guitar arrangement is very reminiscent of both death metal and hard rock, with a diverse collection of riffs and solos. Perhaps the greatest example of this is “Stormcalling” which brings both ends of the riff spectrum into play with dark throaty riffs, and a beautiful rock opener that later corresponds with a high-gain solo. Like Opeth, Gwynbleidd tends to gravitate towards long songs, but they disperse them between short instrumental songs and a few shorter six-minute songs that help the guitar to sidestep the redundancy that plagues many Opeth albums.
In general, Gwynbleidd is more of a progressive death metal band with a preference for acoustic guitars than just a progressive metal band. Clean vocals are scarce throughout the album, and the vocal part is mostly filled by Maciej Kupiszweski, whose bitter growl I find to be much more interesting than Mikael Akerfeldt’s bland growls. The vocals are a tad repetitive but extremely well delivered and the constant shifts from growl-tinged death metal to acoustic bliss are seamless and extremely pleasing to the ear. Gwynbleidd has no trouble from flitting between the two worlds and fusing them together to create a once-in-a-year progressive masterpiece.
It’s only their first album, but if these four incredible musicians manage to hold together for the next decade, they may find themselves in a lofty position at the top of the progressive metal scene, with the legendary Opeth. Hell, they might even pass them up.
Pros-
+ Excellent proportions and song division
+ Incredible acoustic guitars
+ Consistent but not repetitive
+ No songs that stick out in an adverse way
Cons-
- Songs may be a bit long for some (Opeth fans won’t mind)
Recommended Tracks
- Nostalgia
- Stormcalling
- Adrift
- Thawing innocence
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 5
Absolutely brilliant, sorry cocaine for stealing your review. Feedback appreciated.
Digging: Gwynbleidd - Nostalgia | | |
i got this yesterday from Zoo's list. still havent listened to it yet.
Digging: The Mars Volta - Frances the Mute
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nice review zipper. yeah i have to check this out too.
Digging: Exotic Animal Petting Zoo - I Have Made My Bed in Darkness
| | | Album Rating: 5
@Red
Yes, right away if you can, epic stuff.
@Weez
Thanks!
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I. Kaamos are hardly legends, innovators maybe. First couple of paragrapghs are kind of filler but fortunately gets better in the middle of it. Decent review otherwise, if this doesn't beat Watershed i'll be taking your head off Celtic heathen style.
Digging: Venetian Snares/Hecate - Nymphomatriarch | | | Album Rating: 5
Thats why I said "growing" legends. They already have fame on this site. It kicks watershed's ass.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Yeah, and that started with me being a dumbass and writing a review for the whole album when in actuallity I only had three songs off the cd which ended upturning into an ep thanks to incompetence from Descent Productions. But seriously, with that opening paragrapgh you have now entered Crysis/Crimson territory, now I can't bag it too much because i've been trying to write one as well but still. Will check this album out today after pruning citrus.
| | | Album Rating: 5
You prune citrus? wtf?
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he's a florida kid. they have weird hobbies.
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you have something against trimming trees Zipper?
| | | Album Rating: 5
I live in Italy, people have orange trees in their backyards but no one ever prunes them, they aren't flowers...
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
It's the closing season for the farm, I have about 1 week left before taking the summer off until September when the process recycles.
It's basically sawing off dead branches.This Message Edited On 05.07.09
| | | Album Rating: 5
Oh, I thought you meant you were clipping the actual oranges. Lol.
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Oh shit, I dont live in Italy but I have an orange tree in my back yard. I suddenly feel so mediterranean
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lol
Digging: PJ Harvey - Dry
| | | Album Rating: 5
Oh shit, I dont live in Italy but I have an orange tree in my back yard. I suddenly feel so mediterranean
You can't be like me.
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| | | Album Rating: 4
5 is probably a ridiculous rating but i'm looking forward to hearing this
Digging: World's End Girlfriend - The Lie Lay Land | | | Album Rating: 5
To be honest, its not really that ridiculous, this is ace.
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It is ridiculous. But it's still an amazing album, even the re-records sound better this time around. You didn't 'steal' my review, I'm still doing one. I'd feel guilty if I didn't. It'll be up tonight or tomorrow, I've been busy.
Digging: A Forest of Stars - The Corpse of Rebirth
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