 | Tracklist:
1. Harbinger
2. Self Portraits Of The Instincts
3. Nocturne
4. Crossing The Rubicon
5. Sotto Voce
6. Mea Culpa
7. Movement From Discord
8. Channel Detritus
9. Polaris
10. Echelons To Molotovs
11. Desiderata
12. Vela, Together We Await The Storm
Release Date: 2006 | Ranking: #172 for 2006 | |
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On 27 Lists
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| Summary: Tolerably pretentious prog/core band The Human Abstract create a refreshingly original and easily accessable album for the progressive-minded scene kid in us all. |
3 of 3 thought this review was well written
Originality has always been hard to come by. Every so often a handful of artists will create something so new and amazing that it creates a following, and often a new genre. If the bands within that following become popular, new bands will be attracted. The following will get larger and larger, with originality beginning to dwindle near the edges of the following. Pop-punk is at this point, along with emo and modern rap.
Opponents of metalcore like to think that the hardcore influnced area of the metal spectrum is at this point to. They like to act as though metalcore has jumped the shark in the same way that the most popular strains of popular music have, and that there is no originality left. And while metalcore does have its A Day to Remebers and Avenged Sevenfolds, we are far from our Soulja Boys, or our All-American Rejects, or even our All Time Lows.
The Human Abstract are a great example of the potential metalcore still has left. The progressive tinges and passable technicality put this Los Angeles, California outfit head and shoulders above their peers. From the commendably tasteful accoustic lead-in to album opener "Harbinger" to the catchy shred/chug tradeoffs of final track and album highpoint "Vela," one can find their faith in the metalcore template quickly restored. By borrowing elements from cutting edge metal strains like mathcore, such as odd meters and short bursts of shred, THA create a highly accessable and passably progressive (at least progressive enough for those of you who need to be able to refer to your music as such in order to enjoy it) blend that is easily enjoyed by scenesters and pompous prog fanboys alike.
This album was recommended to me by the same friend who got me into Protest the Hero and Between the Buried and Me, two more prog-minded bands who happen to be personal favorites. Immediately I found familiarity in the passionate vocals (i.e. "whiny" screams) and satisfyingly catchy breakdowns that I recognized as my favorite elements of metalcore. But what surprised me was the level of restraint in the execution of these sections; they are used very sparingly (at least in comparison with much of the -core ilk) throughout the album, transforming the cliches of old into passionate climaxes. The level of variety also surprised me, with PsyOpus-esque shred intros on "Crossing the Rubicon" and the title track, sections of enjoyable neo-classic wankery, and even some better executed incarnations of the psuedo-progressive accoustic sections found in the music of Aenged Sevenfold. In fact, the ability this band has to avoid the common metalcore pitfall of indistinguishable tracks while simultaneously creating an album this cohesive and consistant is that primary thing that sets them apart from their peers.
This is not to say that Noctourne is without flaws. The album contains a few moments of the same nauseatingly pretentious gobbledygook that make Avenged Sevenfold so intolerable. For the most part these offenses are limited to the vocals of Nathan Ells. Moments like the chorus of the otherwise pleasant "Movement from Dischord," where Nathan whines "Journey to the edge of all my tears," noticably detract from the album as a whole. I'm not sure what that line is supposed to mean, but it obliterates the momentum of the song each time it rolls around. These moments are infrequent enough to be tolerable, but the newest album, Midheaven, is completely comsumed by these pompous cheeseball portions, presumably due to the creative control Nathan seized in the wake the departure of guitarist/keyboardist A.J. Minnette.
The Human Abstract bring progressive to metalcore in much the same way that Tool bring this element to alt/rock, with equally positive results. This album falls into rotation very easily, requiring much less time or effort than other examples of prog/metal. High points include "Mea Culpa," "Vela, Together We Await the Storm," "Noctourne," and "Crossing the Rubicon." The only low points are the sparse bits of cheese found on tracks such as "Movement from Dischord" and "Harbinger."
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Generic intro
but otherwise great first review.
Digging: Kool G. Rap - 4, 5, 6
| | | Album Rating: 2
the intro may be generic but its hilariously ironic
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pretty much.
| | | Album Rating: 4
nice review, I'll pos it, and yeah the intro was very stereotypical, but so true its ridiculous.
Digging: Between The Buried And Me - The Great Misdirect | | |
lol@silverfang
this band isn't exactly original. It's just ridiculous overuse of arpeggios.
Good review though.
| | | Album Rating: 4
No I love appreggios and sweeping, so this band is for me. 
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You also like bad songwriting?
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Of course he does it's Si1v3RfaNg.
Intro's a bit Lol, but otherwise good work.
Digging: Ganon - As Above, So Below
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Good review, mostly. I really like this album. It's a pity Minnette left, the band kind of sucks now.
Digging: Misery Signals - Of Malice and the Magnum Heart
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You also like bad songwriting?
you realize who you're talking about.
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