Meshuggah
The Violent Sleep Of Reason


2.0
poor

Review

by OmNomsky USER (5 Reviews)
November 22nd, 2016 | 53 replies


Release Date: 2016 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Slop

After a string of solid, consistent releases, Meshuggah drops this year's release, The Violent Sleep Of Reason. And by all accounts, any fan of Meshuggah would likely expect the trajectory of the band's career to continue; a sound album, firmly rooted in the unmatchable style Meshuggah has created, with suprising progression and innovation from a band nearing two decades old. However, upon the first listen to Violent Sleep, something seems amiss. It sounds sloppy. The intro rhythm is jarring and without relief, and the first track fails to progress much, if at all.

This trend continues throughout the album. Despite a number of good riffs, most are quite poor and songs fail to feel and sound cohesive. Riffs transition so akwardly at some points that songs becomes unlistenable. Other riffs are simply so grating that even a weathered Meshuggah die hard would have trouble enduring them.

Relentlessness and grating dissonance are nothing new to Meshuggah, but what sets Violent Sleep apart is the lack of atmosphere and purpose that pervades the album. The lack thereof dissociates the listener from the music rather than facilitates immersion. I have found it hard to listen to songs the whole way through, despite multiple previous listens. It simply does not seem to be growing on me.


user ratings (1012)
3.7
great
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Comments:Add a Comment 
ramon.
November 22nd 2016


4185 Comments


This review is so vague. "Sloppy" and "jarring" aren't synonymous. The only real criticism you made was about riff transitions. How do you gauge whether or not a riff is "grating"? What else contributes to the 2.0 other than your feelings?

Artuma
November 22nd 2016


32769 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

don't ever write a review by first impressions because, well, this is what you'll get

Avagantamos
November 22nd 2016


8915 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Despite a number of good reviews, most are quite poor and users fail to write cohesively.

Sinternet
Contributing Reviewer
November 22nd 2016


26576 Comments


pos'd

zaruyache
November 22nd 2016


27384 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

"that even a weathered Meshuggah die hard would have trouble enduring them."



this probably can't be true given that most people seem to like this album quite a bit.

MO
November 22nd 2016


24017 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

"don't ever write a review by first impressions because, well, this is what you'll get"



"I have found it hard to listen to songs the whole way through, despite multiple previous listens. It simply does not seem to be growing on me."



wut?

ScuroFantasma
Emeritus
November 22nd 2016


11990 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Y'know the guitar isn't the only instrument on this album right?

Artuma
November 22nd 2016


32769 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

"wut?"



most of the review seems to be based on his first listen since he's just stating shallow observations

Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
November 22nd 2016


32022 Comments


Can't agree with this review. It is true this album has Meshuggah taking a more direct approach instead of creating atmosphere but I don't think it is a negative thing, it is just an artistic choice that doesn't match the reviewer's taste.

I would like the review to be a little bit longer and dig deeper in whatever it is that makes this album a 2.

Asdfp277
November 22nd 2016


24309 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

i kinda liked the review tbh, but it obviously has some issues. e.g.,



"Other riffs are simply so grating that even a weathered Meshuggah die hard would have trouble enduring them."



how so? could u further elaborate? grating in what way? what makes them grating?



also, don't conclude stuff u haven't even discussed yet, e.g. ur whole closing paragraph

DarkSideOfLucca
November 22nd 2016


17521 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Are you trolling me personally?



I'm taking this as an act of war.

50iL
November 22nd 2016


5398 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Yeah sorry this needs a lot of work.

Like, a lot.

DarkSideOfLucca
November 22nd 2016


17521 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Destroy erase improve this review. Ha. HAHA.

RLWFormula
November 22nd 2016


287 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

album isn't the best but nor is the review so fuck idk what to say

DarkSideOfLucca
November 22nd 2016


17521 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

You should say that you love it more than your family and dedicate the rest of your life to writing positive reviews about this album and only this album

oltnabrick
November 22nd 2016


40640 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

ok i

Winters
November 22nd 2016


66 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

If you're going to make sweeping statements or generalizations in your review, they need to be backed up by citations of specific evidence, especially when you're writing against popular opinion (see zaruyache's comment.)

A short review like this one can be helpful if it condenses a hard-hitting argument into the space of a couple paragraphs or so - basically one that cites and backs up the presence of a fatal flaw - but instead you sort of try to assert that there are many weaknesses within the record without actually fleshing those ideas out. Try to take every main idea you have and flesh it out into a paragraph or so in your next review; you can always cut ideas that are unfounded without completely abandoning your viewpoint. Good luck in the future!

parksungjoon
November 22nd 2016


47234 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

just when i thought yall couldnt get any more wrong

Evreaia
November 22nd 2016


5405 Comments


correct score

parksungjoon
November 22nd 2016


47234 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

if you dont know anything about metal yea



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