Review Summary: Realized perfection
A lot can be said about a band that unwillingly releases arguably their magnum opus without producing, mixing, or mastering it to their heart’s content. Under normal circumstances, any music listener can point to a number of things off putting about an album which has a lackluster production (just look at any early bm album). Meshuggah’s career shifting album
Nothing underwent an overall speedy process in it’s final stages, and their unhappiness with it resulted in a much desired reaction.
The decision to remaster
Nothing was due to the fact that the original release of the album was rushed because of touring, as well as a possession of technologies previously unavailable, however desired. Their last minute decision to join 2002’s Ozzfest resulted in mixing the album in two days and mastered it in one. This left them with a somewhat unfulfilled gem. Equipped with 8-string guitars and new technology such as Haake’s “Drumkit From Hell”, Meshuggah set out to put the time and effort towards making
Nothing just what they had truly wanted, and does it ever deliver on all fronts.
The 8-string guitars add an unrelenting punch that rivals the heaviest any band has ever sounded. The overall tempo of the album is brought down a notch, slightly changing the lengths of the songs, but in essence placing a much heavier emphasis on the grooves which drive them forward. The fact that Haake is not “physically” behind the kit has brought about some criticism in the past, even though basically nothing (haha!) has changed in terms of how the drums were performed on the original album and the rerecording, aside from the tempo changes. The vocals remain untouched and the album has an overall more bass driven, heavy sound.
Meshuggah’s remastering of
Nothing provides listeners with the album which was meant to be heard from the very beginning. Essentially a work in rerecording guitars, Meshuggah slow down and fully extend the sound of the album they had become famous for. The need for them to pay homage to their past and fully bring to life their vision of
Nothing shows a band truly dedicated to their craft, fulfilling their artistic vision while enhancing their integrity for years to come.
