The Human Abstract - Nocturne Review

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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

user rating

3.7
great

Chart.

other reviews

DrNedwardio (4)
Tolerably pretentious prog/core band The Human Abstract create a refreshingly original and easily ac...

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On 27 Lists

3.5
great

Josh Deragon USER (11 Reviews)

2006-08-25 | 232 comments | 19,211 views

7 of 8 thought this review was well written

So much has been put into the hardcore metal scene. Some like it, some despise it. There are even some that will go to lengths and say it isn't even real metal. The previous statement is however wrong, due to the fact that the genre is hardcore combined with metal. It is called metalcore for a reason. But here and there, a band will come into your life that brings something different to the table. Something other than similar structures throughout their track list; a band that doesn't do the “Killswitch thing” (scream verses, sing choruses). A new spin has just been put on these trends. And although I am not one to take a liking to extremely technical classification, I feel that sometimes it may be needed to get the idea. As stated in my All That Remains review (shameful plug), it is somewhat necessary to define such a band as The Human Abstract. This time I will go with the term, dare I say, progressive metalcore. Why, you ask? THA blends the intensity of metal, the rawness of hardcore, and the musicianship and writing abilities of a decent progressive band. A more modern one, of course.

Moving on from this extensive introduction to The Human Abstract, the music sure is something. Everyone in the band possesses the ability to keep fans of many different genres interested. Major metalheads, hardcore punks, and metal purists of the new death metal age can gather and find something they like. Although it may not be you, there is something for a fan of many kinds relating to this genre.

Every once in a while, the band can slow down a little, incorporating some piano parts courtesy of A.J. But for the majority of the album's duration, there is a constant slew of varying riffs, breakdowns, solos, and a fresh sound. Dean and A.J. are very talented at producing riffs that sound like a miniature solo in a way. Instead of riding the E string and playing with power chords until no end, they keep the listener guessing, as seen in songs like “Nocturne” and “Channel Detritus”. Acoustic guitars appear in the album as well in the instrumental “Sotto Voce” and the opener “Harbinger”. A song can go from a fast flowing metal song, and then drop down into a short break of clean guitar and vocals quickly, so as to keep you interested instead of keeping the same song going on and on. The band is in fact good at changing up the songs. You might hear a blazing riff and a long scream right away, or a piano with soft strumming. One notable thing about the guitar parts is the abundance of harmonization. They don't always play simple melodies either. Not to many bands related to the genre come out running with shredding harmonization. The sound is clean and the two axemen can go note for note in a note heavy part (that was a “note” heavy sentence).

The drum parts are of a particular interest to me. Not just because I play the drums, but Brett has an interesting style. He can play a constant, mid-paced, double bass riff, and then when the song changes up, he can add something more difficult. These difficult parts can be a lot of fills side by side, or just something fast and intricate. He kind of shines in a non-shining way. What I mean is he can play a part that makes you listen more closely, but if the guitars are going off, they may be overshadowed a little since he is good at fitting the songs (See: “Crossing The Rubicon”). As a fan of drums, one can clearly hear that a lot of the time Brett is producing something to add to the song and not to showboat. To sum his playing up, you could say he does a very good job without trying to be pretentious in a way that turns the listener from everything else.

For being a debut album, the production was done well. Although the bass isn't always audible, when it is, there is some good stuff going on. That may be my only complaint about it. The mix otherwise is great, and anyone can be heard when it is “their turn”. The vocals are done well, with a differential of more of a hardcore scream, a deeper growl, and clean vocals that get the job done. Sometimes the clean vocals are almost like a talking, but are heard well and are well done. Overall, Jaime King and the band did a fine job.

The Human Abstract officially got on the map on August 22nd, although I have been listening to their demos and tracks from this album on the band's site for some time now. The group released this album showing maturity and room to grow. There is always potential for any band no matter what stage of their career, and this band shows they can have some staying power. If metal is too broad of a term for you, call them metalcore. Call them hardcore, or whatever fits your liking. The fact is THA combine those two with elements of progressive to show abilities not often heard of in this type of metal. Some may argue that progressive may be a stretch for a band with this sound, but with meaningful lyrics, expert sounding musicianship, use of piano, unusual time signatures, and a good dynamic range, one could argue the progressive-ness of the band. The Human Abstract has something different, something new, and this album could mark a sign of things to come in this new wave of metal. And it sounds good.

What's good about this album?
- The instrumentation is very well done
- THA bring a new sound to their genre
- Production sounds good
- The drum work is great

What isn't so good about this album
- The bass isn't heard often enough
- Fans of heavier metal may not take a liking to this sound, although it can be done (example: Me)
Honestly, that's it for this section for me. I may edit this after listening some more, but so far, so good.

The Human Abstract is:
Nathan Ells – Vocals
A.J. Minette – Guitars, Piano
Dean Herrera – Guitars
Kenny Arehart – Bass
Brett Powell – Drums

Recommended listening:
Nocturne
Self Portraits Of The Instincts
Vela, Together We Await The Storm

Rating: 7.15/10
- Josh D.

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