Review Summary: An obscure music fan's prog metal dream.
Sifting through the internet searching for great music can sometimes end without finding what you hoped you would. These days even obscure bands can be found without too much hassle by checking out any of the numerous sites used to host bands. It can still take time to try to find what you are looking for, time that could be used in so many different ways, but sometimes you find something so laughably obscure and incredibly awesome that it feels like it paid off.
The Slovakian prog metal band
Dissonance's new album '
Intricacies in Nothingness is one of those times. All of the signs of a hilariously obscure band are here. Extremely indistinct band name; check. Almost completely absent online presence; check. Two albums with completely different styles released 20 years apart; check. The band photo that looks like it could be a 90s sitcom; check. Seemingly no way to buy the music; check. Songs all simply being variations on poems and being named as such; check. Proggy, jazzy, zany, abstract, bass soloing out of their mind, insane rhythm twisting, and crisp clear production; check, check, check, check, check, check, check.
While their first album was conventional death metal, this new one is more progressive. It is driven by wild syncopation and a feeling of a constant roller coaster ride. With its 28 minute run time it won't let up till the end and will leave you wanting more. The music is very staccato for the most part and usually there isn't anything enough to create large ringing chords. They do sometimes let it ring out and be more layered than usual to mix it up. Riffing is usually created through unconventional harmonies. The bass drives this band even more than the guitar does. Bass solos are everywhere and wow they are some of the best I have heard. It is also probably the loudest I have ever heard bass in a metal band's mix. Contrabass and violin sometimes add nice melodic touches. The guitar is terrific with a refreshingly clean metal tone and full control of the musical style. But the bass nearly steals the show. This album is a must hear for fans of bass guitar music. There is even a little bass on bass overdubbing. This is one of the tightest and most complimentary bass/guitar duos I have heard.
Vocals are sparse and are done by a women that sounds like she is passionately reciting the poetry the music is based on. Oddly toned deep grunt vocals often go slightly off time with her voice. They simply float over the rest of the music add to the sense of abstraction. Drums will keep you guessing and bowing down with an impressive variety of beats and tasteful use of double bass. Also the drummer's name is either simply “Left”, or he left the band. It is unclear as to which. The music is straightforward in presentation and extremely clear in production. There is space to the music that is usually filled in with drum blasts and fuzz in other metal styles. It isn't very harsh sounding compared to most metal but it sure is bizarre. Much of their sound reminds me of the time stretching transitions that
Between the Buried and Me uses. But
Dissonance uses it as their main approach rather than a transition, and they also go without all the theatrics of BtBaM. With this as their main sound, the band is able to subtly go through many different genres: from technical sludge, prog jazz craziness, to even a bit of serene classical.
If any of this sounds interesting at all to you go look it up on Youtube right now. The rhythms and note choice are insane and the bass performance is out of this world. It is a complete merging of jazz and metal; never sounding too much like one side or the other. And even with all the weirdness going on they still made sure the music was just very cohesive and flowing, if very eccentric. The only suggestion is that the vocal aspect and scope of the band be fleshed out more in later releases. This group has put together a truly impressive and entertaining 28 minute ride that deserves any prog metal fans full attention. If you are reading this you made the right choice. Give them some love and maybe we can expect new material before 2034.
