The Human Abstract
Digital Veil


4.0
excellent

Review

by Keira USER (2 Reviews)
March 8th, 2011 | 421 replies


Release Date: 2011 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Don't call it a comeback.

Let's go ahead and get one thing straight. This is not the same band you heard on Nocturne. This is certainly not the same band you heard on Midheaven. With Nathan gone, the band has not only undergone a huge vocal tone change, but also a musical style change. The same classical guitar interludes are still there, as well as blazingly fast sweeping guitar parts, but it is used more tastefully and as less of a gimmick.

So how does the new sound hold up compared to past attempts by this band? It does more than just hold up. It IS. Past attempts either went over very well, or failed terribly, yet still came off as rather cliche at times even it it was enjoyable. This time around, The Human Abstract actually make sense. Their music builds up to intense breakdowns, and then backs off to reflect on what just occurred. One could compare songs like "Complex Terms" and "Antebellum" to a classical symphony. They feature many strikingly different movements that all seem to fit together in a way that just flows fantastically. Even the bombastic breakdowns that in the past seemed ill-fitting just seem to add to the music here. The Human Abstract have sacrificed only the slightest bit of technicality to produce true musicality.

The new vocals are a huge improvement. Nathan had his good moments, but some things he did just came across as a toddler having a tantrum. The new vocals change styles depending on the song, but often feature heavily layered deep growls and occasionally a higher shriek. His clean vocals are incredibly smooth and controlled. Melodically he delves into some rich harmonies and interesting phrasings.

The point is, this is not the same band. Enjoy Nocturne if you'd like. Try to make it all the way through Midheaven if that's your cup of tea. Either way, you're not listening to the same band that produced Digital Veil. This band is far too polished, far too mature, and far too progressed to ever be compared to that band of the past.


user ratings (1070)
3.9
excellent
other reviews of this album
1 of
  • pizzamachine (3.5)
    neo-classical metalcore may seem like a ridiculous premise, but the result is an enjoyable...

    mcg182 (4.5)
    The Human Abstract finally grow up as a band, and all it took was kicking out the old fron...

    TheOscillat0r (2.5)
    The Digital Veil will satisfy previous fans, but it is unlikely to win over any new ones....

    Philalethes (4.5)
    Have you ever wondered what kind of music Beethoven would write if he were a metal head? ...

  • drewcordova (4)
    Well written, beautifully executed, serious Progressive Metal. A contender for "Best Metal...

    SugarFreeSquid (2.5)
    Overall unsatisfying and far too short...



Comments:Add a Comment 
impoppy
March 9th 2011


2249 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

3rd review, kinda short, but I felt like anything else would be self-indulgent.

impoppy
March 9th 2011


2249 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Also, listening to this through a few times, then accidentally letting my itunes progress into Midheaven caused me many facepalms at how bad that album was.

OutOfMyself
March 9th 2011


688 Comments


One could compare songs like "Complex Terms" and "Antebellum" could easily be compared to a classical symphony.


Also the review doesn't flow too well, I'd look at using some better transitions from sentence to sentence and paragraph to paragraph.

impoppy
March 9th 2011


2249 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Thanks, that one went right over my head haha. And I know it's choppy at times. I'm sure I'll be editing it a lot over the next few days.

Willie
Moderator
March 9th 2011


20212 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

This is the only thing that I've ever heard from these guys, but it wasn't bad.



Also, the album is streaming:



http://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds/#/12





impoppy
March 9th 2011


2249 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Like I said, Nocturne really doesn't compare to this, but you might want to check it out regardless. It was at least instrumentally interesting.

OutOfMyself
March 9th 2011


688 Comments


Hahah no problem man. The basis of the review is good and you get your points across, just some technicalities here and there.

bloc
March 9th 2011


69947 Comments


I was expecting a lot more

Wheelah
March 9th 2011


756 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

I really feel the same way about this album. It sounds nothing like Nocturne, but it's still great. Their sound certainly changed, and for the better. The review was pretty short, but you got your point across concisely, which makes for an easier read.

Josh D.
March 9th 2011


17845 Comments


Based on the songs they released before the album came out, this can't be above a 2.5, maybe a 3 on a really good day. But probs just 2.5.

twlight
March 9th 2011


8681 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

definitely a step up from nocturne. solid album, shakey review

NeutralThunder12
March 9th 2011


8742 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

prolly not a 4.5



but im a whore for this stuff



review was a little sloppy, buy definitely got the point across and the most accurate rating you could give this

impoppy
March 9th 2011


2249 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I basically just wanted to give people a reason to check it out. Cause I hated Midheaven and loved Nocturne. I figured this would suck. But it doesn't.

ianjulian
March 9th 2011


646 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

The Human Abstract actually make sense.

A7XEric
March 9th 2011


322 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Short and sweet review. Could have put a bit more detail into describing certain songs though.



This album SLAYS.

Josh D.
March 9th 2011


17845 Comments


A7XEric


Of course it would SLAYS.

psykonaut
March 9th 2011


3913 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

wait...this doesn't suck? really?

qwe3
March 9th 2011


21836 Comments


positive that this is terrible

willfellmarsy
March 9th 2011


3847 Comments


album cover makes me not want to listen...

TheFantasticDangler
March 9th 2011


2059 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0 | Sound Off

How can people like this more than Nocturne? HOW?! Half the album is literally made up of AJ shredding

while the rhythm guitar chugs away. Not to mention the monotonous Muse anthems in every god damn song.



qwe, your avatar reminds so much of when the vampire starts bubbling all colorfully after the sun

comes out in Animal Collective's ODDSAC.



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