Album Rating: 4.0

Not sure what's with all the naysayers...this sounds pretty similar to their debut even if its not as good. Solid enough I say

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

It's not necessarily a "bad" album. It is just a completely different direction, imo, from the s/t.

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

"No, it hasn't always been a band. Tosin was specifically conscripted to record a solo album by Prosthetic records after Reflux disbanded. There's a reason the only personnel on the debut were Tosin and Misha, and there's a reason Misha never toured with Tosin."



Here are some articles showing that Tosin never intended Animals as Leaders to be a solo project. Like you said he found the idea egotistical when first approached by Prosthetic records, but after gaining some confidence in music school, decided that making an instrumental band, not a true solo project, would suite his style of writing after all.



"Once Reflux broke up, the band’s former label, Prosthetic Records, offered Abasi a solo record. Even though the guitarist wanted the new project to be something much more ambitious, he didn’t want it to represent “just the idea of one person,” so Animals As Leaders gradually grew into a four-piece." (OC Weekly Music)



"He (Misha Mansoor) wrote all the drum parts and some melodies so it was very much a collaborative effort." (Amp Magazine)

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

These guys need to put out a DVD so people can see how original and innovative some of their guitar techniques truly are. These guys are really pushing the boundaries of metal composition and elctric guitar technique in general. This is probably why Steve Vai thought he was hearing the future of guitar instrumental music when he first heard the self titled record.

Album Rating: 3.0

How far did you guys expect this band to go? Their last album was good but it sounded like a one-off, not something that can be carried on with. You can only write hypo-melodic, noodling riffs so many times before people grow tired of them.



Good review too, fuck you to the fanboys who can't admit that guitar masturbation doesn't equal great song writing.

Album Rating: 3.0

Opps double post.

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

haha go wizard!

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

"How far did you guys expect this band to go? Their last album was good but it sounded like a one-off, not something that can be carried on with. You can only write hypo-melodic, noodling riffs so many times before people grow tired of them."



I pretty much agree. Which is why people saying they're going in a different direction is stupid because there isn't really one. Did people just want a complete re-hash of the first album? I don't get it. With this type of music people should welcome change not look down on them for it. Like with the increased electronics, they've been a big influence on Tosin which is why they were incorporated more.

from what i've heard, i actually enjoy this more.

I didn't even like their s/t so I probably won't check this out

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

I'll probably be bumping this to a 4.5 soon.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

checking out reflux



this is nothing special

Great review, album is pretty meh which was disappointing given his debut.

I'm still stoked to see them/him on tour with BTBAM and Tesseract though

Album Rating: 3.5

I think the shorter tracks like New Eden, Espera and the closer work surprisingly well on this.

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

" fuck you to the fanboys who can't admit that guitar masturbation doesn't equal great song writing."



Instrumental music is supposed showcase an artists ability on their given instrument. It's no different than how classical composers would write much more complicated parts and melodies for instrumental pieces versus more simplistic melodies for the voice. If you don't want to hear guitar wankery then don't listen to instrumental metal.



As far as this being poor songwriting, I guess that is just your opinion. I hear very complex themes in these songs that are developed in many different forms to give each song a unique feel and structure. These songs are so much more than just Tosin doing solo after solo over simple and repetitive parts.

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

this album is lazy musical masturbation .. i blame misha

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

with this kind of music, he shouldve waited and spent more time on another album=/

Album Rating: 4.0

"i blame misha"





...What? He had nothing to do with this album.



I gave it a couple more full spins and it's actually coming around a bit for me. Still not like the Self Titled but I'm gettin' the songs a little more.

Album Rating: 3.0

easily the biggest disappointment of 2011

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

yep