Review Summary: If describing this album with a genre is completely necessary, it should be called "sky-splitting earthquake-starting rock-crushing post-ambient core."
Occasionally there will be times when something is difficult to classify. Terms such as "math-core" and "post-hardcore" don't exactly capture the specific sound or feel of some music, and in some cases, leaves you completely scratching your head as to what to call a particular album.
For those of you not familiar with Amia Venera Landscape, they are a band from Italy playing progressive metalcore, but this is simply scratching the surface. With gigantic sweeping and awe-inspiring instrumental breaks, technical and brutal riffing, and gentle piano interludes, this is truly a concept album, with the execution of the ideas being the forefront of the albums appeal. The production is flawless, the album rises and falls, and keeps you interested, and can entrance you in moments of sheer intense beauty.
The vocal work is laced with heavy screaming by Alessandro Brun, with falsetto vocalist and guitarist Marco Berton who reminds slightly of Dallas from Alexisonfire. the vocals trade off nicely, merging with the intensity of the music. The drums and screaming keep you interested and on edge, and the soaring guitars and singing provide ample contrast to the more chaotic parts on the album. There are gorgeous drone, piano and ambient sections throughout, which usually means during listening, the album should be played all the way through, like a story. The serious meat of this album is very dense, and keeps you in anticipation.
The standout tracks are "Nicholas" and "Glances (Part II)", which really showcase the intensity and skillfulness of this band. These guys do something I didn't think a band could do, they keep it interesting without relying on typical transitions and breakdowns, using sheer originality and songwriting.
