Album Rating: 3.0

Instrumental music is supposed showcase an artists ability on their given instrument. It's no different than how classical composers would write much more complicated parts and melodies for instrumental pieces versus more simplistic melodies for the voice. If you don't want to hear guitar wankery then don't listen to instrumental metal.



So what you're telling me is that you've never heard great instrumental metal that doesn't involve wank?



As far as this being poor songwriting, I guess that is just your opinion. I hear very complex themes in these songs that are developed in many different forms to give each song a unique feel and structure. These songs are so much more than just Tosin doing solo after solo over simple and repetitive parts



I will give you a bit of credit for this however, writing a slew of awesome ideas and slapping them together is not my cup of tea.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

@Philalethes -



Even if I were to give you that the self-titled release was not a solo effort (which I won't, because writing and programming a drum machine doesn't make you more than a producer, which Misha was), at best, it is a two man job, with the second man not being present on this album either.



In terms of comparison, it's a moot point.



And, as others have said, there's plenty of instrumental metal that isn't just wank, or that may incorporate that style of play, but synthesizes it together better with the rest of the parts.



@Scoot -



Reflux is pretty great.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

good review

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

one of the most talented guitarists in modern music made a pretty boring album with this.

Philalethes: Instrumental music is supposed showcase an artists ability on their given
instrument. It's no different than how classical composers would write much more complicated parts
and melodies for instrumental pieces versus more simplistic melodies for the voice. If you don't
want to hear guitar wankery then don't listen to instrumental metal.

This is entirely, 100% false. The only difference between instrumental and non-instrumental music is
that instrumental music doesn't have vocals. That's it. Instrumental music isn't any more
intrinsically complex, it just fills the roles the voice would normally play with other instruments.
The reason classical composers wrote "more simplistic" parts for vocal pieces is simply because the
human voice isn't suited to the same type of parts being played by the instruments. It's no
different than a composer not giving high-pitched, noodly lines to a tuba.

Also, complexity =/= good song-writing. In most cases (especially in metal and prog) I've found that
complexity is used as a crutch to make up for poor or lazy songwriting; it's a lot easier to run
16th triplets up and down some exotic mode than to actually sit down and write something that is
written to sound good.

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Your response is a little misguided. I should have been more clear and pointed out that I was relating this style of technical progressive metal to a more technical style of classical music, specifically the concerto. Just as you said, the human voice is not able to easily replicate everything you can do on instruments, specificaly some of the giant leaps or speed that instruments can. The concerto style therefore allowed composers to write music that was challenging, showcasing a musicians prowess on their instrument, while at the same time still retaining the appeal of a well written song. Animals as Leaders is a band that is clearly writing music kind of like a modern day concerto. If some one goes and listens to this record expecting not to hear overly technical playing, they are just diluted. I agree that all instrumental music by nature does not have to be complex like this, but it is clear that Animals as Leaders is trying to play a style of music that emphasizes virtoustic playing. They are pushing the limits of what is possible to play on the guitar, while still writing quality songs. The latter is a matter of opinion, but I for one find the songs to be great.

I know what a concerto is, I've been studying music for about 11 years. For the exact reasons you gave, concertos are in my mind pseudo-music; music as sport. Maybe some people are into that sort of thing, but I stopped being impressed by "technicality" when my balls dropped.

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

If you don't want to listen to guitar wankery then don't listen to TECHNICAL instrumental metal.

"The only difference between instrumental and non-instrumental music is
that instrumental music doesn't have vocals. That's it."

Yes. This.

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off



"The only difference between instrumental and non-instrumental music is

that instrumental music doesn't have vocals. That's it."



Oh my god! I never thought of it like that before. This changes my entire perspective on music.

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

I suppose next you are going to tell me the only difference between piano music and guitar music is that one is played on a piano and the other on the guitar. This is such an amazing revelation!

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

As a composer and music student for 20+ years now, I know that from a composers stand point, whatever instrument(s) you are composing for are going to have its own unique set of limitations and unique set of opportunities. Other than the obvious range and timbre differencs, there are techniques that are unique to the guitar , for example tap harmonics or pick scrapes, that can not be replicated on the piano. To say that there is no difference in instrumental music and vocal music is a little near-sighted, as writing for music without a basic vocal melody can create a whole different set of possibilities.

I wasn't saying there isn't a difference in the structure of the music, it's obvious there is. I'm just saying there isn't any difference in the objective of the music. Instrumental music isn't anymore trying to show off the instrumentalists than non-instrumental is (instrically) trying to show off the vocalist.

Also, quadruple post. u mad bro?

Album Rating: 3.0

Angry musician beware!

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

I AM SO ANGRY RIGHT NOW, THAT I AM TYPING IN ALL CAPITOL LETTERS TO SHOW HOW ANGRY I AM.

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Nice try at a recovery. I already agreed with you that instrumental music does not have to be intrinisically more complex. I also understand where you are coming from in saying that much instrumental music makes use of instruments to create a melody, which can serve the same function as a voice in other songs. This is often the case, but not always, as in many serial or 12 tone compositions where melody isn't even necessary. And, if you are ultimately trying to say now that the objective of all music is to simply be music, whether its instrumental or vocal, you just bested your previous statement for stating the most obvious thing I have ever seen on Sputnik.

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My original post was in response to the odd amount of flack that a technical progressive band is getting for making music that is dense, complex, and virtoustic. What did you think they were going to make?

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

So some people think this album is a bunch of pointless, and tasteless noodling with no sense of purpose and direction. I don't agree. I think the songwriting is better, with much more complicated themes and structures. I think the over all guitar techniques have been further refined. Virtoustic leads and counterpoints that play off eachother brilliantly are found on every track. And best of all, the production (minus whether or not the drums are to high in the mix or not) is leaps and bounds better than the self titled.

This is gay.

Both the album and this whole thread.

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

QUINTUPLE POST. I AM SO ANGRY, AGGHHHHHH!