Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

@ Nocte: I can respect that score because there's an actual explanation attached to it... unlike some of these other guys. What are the forced vocal cleans?

Album Rating: 3.8 | Sound Off

Read an interview of Devon Graves for the new album in Metal Hammer Hellas...



He admits that contrary to the olden days where the band often approached the 16/7 rehearsal limit prior to recording sessions,



for the new one rehearsals took place once or twice a week over a period of 5+ years due to family/life obligations, which is totally understood and respected.



Perhaps the above may explain why, save for the singles and “Sisters of the Dawn” imho, a good portion of the rest of the tracks, while a pleasure to jam for all the known reasons, appear as nowhere near the older material in terms of song writing completeness.



Add to the above that in general Psychotic Waltz albums are tough to sink through at first, irrespective of the song writing complexity.



For example, having heard the previous three, I initially thought half of Bleeding was filler, but I ended up jamming it back-to-back.



https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/1989/aug/03/cover-like-heavy-and-unexplainable/



https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2004/may/27/psychotic-waltz-revisited/

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

You always find the most random information. I love it. I wouldn't say these songs sound like their less complete than the older stuff. Like I've said previously, this album definitely seems like more work went into it than Bleeding which was fairly streamlined. I think what people are missing is the left-of-center shit they did for the first three albums, but they had already moved away from that by the time of Bleeding. To me, this album shares more in common with the first three than Bleeding does.

Album Rating: 2.5

I have never been a particular fan of this band's sound. Still thought they had some good material. Will be checking this record for sure. Also, nice review Willie.

Some quality solos on this.

Album Rating: 4.0

I definitely prefer the back half of the album ('String' through 'Silence') to the front half, although maybe that portion still needs time to grow. I lamented prog lyrics a few posts ago but now really find the words to 'Pull the String' interesting. It's definitely an album that is revealing more and more over consecutive listens. It's probably in the 3.5-4 range for me at this moment, but could grow higher if I begin to connect with the first half more. I've listened through three times but I feel like it still needs at least one more full go before I can honestly say I've digested it. There's a lot going on here. Or maybe it's just because metal isn't my forte.

Album Rating: 2.5

Kind of a slog unfortunately.

Album Rating: 4.0

Finally some good fucking prog

still need some more spins but I'm thinking a 3.5, maybe 4

Album Rating: 3.5

These guys took their time shaping this..I might bump the rating

Good stuff

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

I've given in, this is too sick, too often.

Album Rating: 4.0

I enjoyed it. The songwriting is really solid.

loving the atmosphere on this

final three songs rip

Album Rating: 3.5

Yeah, this is definitely their most derivative album to date.

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

@ Sowing: It took me about six times for everything to start clicking and really attract me. I agree about the back half being stronger than the first half. Especially my favorite song, "Sisters of the Dawn". A lot of prog lyrics are just as pretentious as the music, but bands like Psychotic Waltz and Fates Warning are exceptions.



--Yeah, this is definitely their most derivative album to date.--

How so? Maybe I'm misunderstanding the way you're using the word 'derivative'.

never heard of this band before but now I'm intrigued.

their old stuff is cult classic status easliy

i think i might have to check this sooner than expected just to grill willie

oh rly? will czech