Album Rating: 2.5

Dan is great, but this time I cannot enjoy the vocals. One is way better than this.

Album Rating: 3.0

"What about the vocals bugs you?"



They sound incredibly wimpy and out of place. It's as if they recorded them for the sake of recording them.

Album Rating: 3.0

As compared to Ashe?

Dan is so much better on One, he's not as good on this.

Album Rating: 4.5

This review definitely reads lower than the score it's given.



Most of it is personal preference and that's good. There are some good points made regarding the vocal comparisons of Altered State and Polaris.



I have some problems with some of your statements though.



I don't see why your complaining about the over abundance of atmospherics. That's what this band are. Plus I applied your formula to the album and it didn't work in at least half the cases. Your formula is just a recipe for dynamics anyway which is hardly a bad thing.



Secondly, when you talk about Dan's "notes being buried beneath a musical base not tailored to his vocal talents" and that he is "slogging through the music like a swamp", it sounds like you're calling the vocal production into question. Is that correct?

Album Rating: 3.5

its a grower imo, hexes' chorus runs through my head all day, Utopia is a GOOD fucking track

problem is, One and AS clicked with me immediately

Album Rating: 3.0

This review definitely reads lower than the score it's given.

I don't feel I can ding it below a 3, but I hear what you're saying and I considered it. 60% is an appropriate score for this album to me. It'll pass, but just barely.



I don't see why your complaining about the over abundance of atmospherics.

Because they're boring, overabundant, and formulaic, which contributes to a track's dullness. They're a cop out when something more interesting could have been done. The band have used far more interesting atmospheric effects coupled with stronger melodies before and I don't think it's fair to just let them skate by with what they do here. For the most part, though, I didn't really complain about atmospherics, spare to say they're a mainstay of the commonly-employed song structure - my main gripe is that this is standard fare for them without any risk to do anything new or exciting and that melody is just eaten alive by bass on this.



Your formula is just a recipe for dynamics anyway which is hardly a bad thing.

Except the dynamics only work when they're dynamic. If they're static, or prescribed (as they generally are, with some deviation, as noted), your ear will catch on and start to say "I know what comes next." It's a function of predictability.



it sounds like you're calling the vocal production into question. Is that correct?

No, I'm talking about the notes he's singing in the range he's using being drowned by the notes and ranges of the other instruments. He's mixed pretty well. It may have helped if the bass weren't at the same level as the vocals, but the biggest issue is that the notes don't mesh in a way that makes Dan audible.



its a grower imo

Glad it's growing on you! It actually went down for me over the course of 20 something listens. I originally had it at 3.3. "Hexes" is solid, and probably my favorite track.

Album Rating: 3.0

I dunno, after 2-ish listens, this really does nothing for me.

Album Rating: 3.0

I dunno, after 2-ish listens, this really does nothing for me.



It's interesting to me how polarizing it is. And so many "metal review sites" are giving it 5/5, 4.5/5, etc, but I just don't see how, though I understand hardcore fan reaction.

Album Rating: 3.0

I don't think it's terrible or anything. I just don't think it's great either. It's probably right around 2.5 for me. I'll give it another shot later before I solidify a rating though.



EDIT: Also, you would say that Polaris is... POLARIZING? HAHAHAHHAOISHFASOHFASOFHASLOLBUTTSLOL



I'll see myself out.

Album Rating: 5.0

AOTY



I take back everything I said after hearing Messengers. This album is amazing. Well done, gentlemen.



@ElegantElephant - I cannot get Hexes out of my head either.

Album Rating: 4.0

I understand why people wouldn't like this as much. I do feel like you get more of an experience if you listen to the whole thing in 1 listen rather than listening to certain songs one at a time. The whole record just flows so well for me.

Great review, although it does seem scathing while giving it an okay score (you've explained why). Really loved Altered State, but was worried about this when Ashe left. I really like Dan, but he should've just reactivated First Signs Of Frost, that's where all his talent was put to best use. I guess this won't blow me away, but I'll listen to it regardless...

Album Rating: 3.0

In retrospect, I'm glad Ashe left, because he went back to Voices From the Fuselage.

Album Rating: 4.5

I haven't disagreed with a review so much in a very long time. I think this is their best work ever and easily AOTY. To each their own.

I loved it, Maybe it's because I'm a fan. Who cares I gave it a 10/10 in my review

Album Rating: 3.5

@atomic id say that its now a 3.4 for me, originally a 3.3 as well - what do you hold One and AS at?

Album Rating: 3.0

I have Altered State at a 3.5 and I'd put One at a 3.3 for now - I haven't listened to it in forever. I could see adjusting both of those ratings up slightly, however.

Album Rating: 3.5

i feel like youd enjoy One a lot more after hearing this - though it still doesnt have the soaring melodies AS has, i think most would say Dan fits it a lot better

Album Rating: 3.0

I had it as a 4 originally, but I know I like Altered State better, so I figured better of myself. Would have to re-listen, though - I do like Dan's singing a lot and I know what you're talking about.

Album Rating: 4.0

I really only give out 5's when they've been with me for a few years but this one really seems close to one. It's such an improvement from Altered State and One. TesseracT has finally figured out how to break out of the mold they set for themselves.