It feels.... unfinished?

Yeah lately this band has really taken a nose dive in the creative department. Here’s to hoping I’m wrong about this new one but my hopes are not set high.

The most disappointing part is the beginning of this song seemed to breathe. I feel like that's something they haven't done since JoM. At this point it feels like they're writing regiments and not actual pieces of music.

What a waste of talent for a song that goes absolutely nowhere

It's okay. But yeah underwhelming a little bit. Monomyth was superb though.

'waste of talent' is the motto of this band tbf

This track totally fits into their early material, reminds me of their first album. It jams. Don’t know what you guys are talking about.

3/5

yeah a another album of wankery!

Hope this is a contextual track. Definitely doesn’t do much at all on its own. This was pretty by the numbers whereas Monomyth is amazing.

Boring...ugh I'm so uninterested in where they are going

First album was the only one I cared about from this band. Can't capture that same magic twice.

This Human Centipede 4 trailer looks promising

they honestly need to start making different music

drumming is so good but songwriting sucks.

“It feels… unfinished?”

This is how I felt with their previous single, like I was hoping it would go on and have a conclusion only to have it end, and although I haven’t checked the latest single yet, I’m very trepidatious about their new album. Less wankery, more feeling, please!

I mean, by the time the what feels like the intro osnover there is only 1 minute left in the song. It's 2 mins and 30 seconds. That's all you really need to know. I liked what was there though

both singles have been mid as hell, imma be honest

--This Human Centipede 4 trailer looks promising--

The theatrical porno cut?

@uzumaki I feel like this wasn't an issue on the first three albums but yeah, Tosin has gotten worse at writing songs. Is Javier not in the group anymore? He should probably partner up with Misha again because at least Misha has an idea of how to build a theme and develop a song.

I think this is pretty darn good on a first listen and it might approach a different perspective on them conceptualizing a song. If i had to guess, the title plays into that as well and in some way leaving an "unfinished feel" to that song. Then again, this is released during a global pandemic, so what do i know.

--Then again, this is released during a global pandemic, so what do i know.--

Not sure if this could/should count as an excuse since a lot of other global artists are facing critical/successful reception during the same periods and similar issues.

Yeah this is weirdly kinda lame???? Like idk I can't really think of any tracks of theirs I enjoy less than this on first listen

@Gnocchi Ah, no. That was just my attempt to interpret this very atypical choice of an ending. Thinking of it as playing with expectations on one hand, then maybe also addressing the social ramblings around freethinker and other bs on the other hand like in a more meta way.

sounds like aal and maybe that other instrumental prog metal band

I personally think this is shaping up to be a really smooth album from them. I've gotten Weightless vibes from this one. I do think they really shine when they make more free-form and abstract compositions like "The Brain Dance" or "Para-Mexer", but these shorter songs still have fun riffs and great drumming. It's like eating a fun sized candy bar.

This sounded promising, but then there 45 seconds of nothing when its only a 3 and a half minute song. What the hell lol

It's more like a 2:20 min song. I liked it more than the first single; the drums are ace, guitars are lush when they want to be, but they focus too much on polyrhythms and not enough fun riffs.

The only thing that’s gonna hurt them is if this turns into a “Madness of Many” 2.0, where there’s too much technical wankery and less emotion and feeling in the songs

that last part is left up to you lol

Yeah I know…

Monomyth is epic, this song feels like an interlude, these music videos are la
me.

I’m so done with prog metal wankery in general, but these songs were alright to me for some reason, liked Problem of other Minds especially. Sounded smooth to me.

Pathetic videoclip just like the previous one. Narcissistic arrogance.
Meh track.
First album was good.
Anyway. Maybe the album will be good. It's still atmospheric enough.

this will be an incredible album, i am sure. they've had 5 years to ponder this.

second track is short, somewhat interlude-sounding. monomyth gets better on repeated listens. there's a lot of variation on the 233223 main rhythmic idea. i think monomyth is a good intro single and the problem of other minds is a good further teaser track - good way to announce the album release date without giving away too much more of the album.

i think this will definitely show up as an interlude-feeling track on the album, given how densely packed AAL songs tend to be (and how densely packed monomyth was - that track could've easily been a minute longer, given how many ideas are packed in).

i like the visual consistency between the two videos. interesting to see people dance to this music.

like most AAL, this will get better on further listens. pre-ordered the blue vinyl. can't wait.

so yeah Gordian Nought is nuts

But it’s still super safe. Sounds like everything they’ve ever done

We'll see what happens when it's released but I miss the more melodic, colorful song writing of JoM and "Weightless".

Agreed, I miss JoM