Meshuggah
Koloss


4.0
excellent

Review

by Athom EMERITUS
March 20th, 2012 | 5137 replies


Release Date: 2012 | Tracklist

Review Summary: The gears keep turning in a well oiled machine.

Koloss is a strange beast. It comes from Meshuggah, a band that, for as skilled and mind bending as they are, have basically released the same album over and over again since 1995's Destroy Erase Improve, yet it sounds unlike any Meshuggah album I have ever heard. Yes, the sound is unmistakably that of the Swedish tech-groove heavyweights, but where they have gone from sounding like the cold and mechanical gears that run our lives to, well, sounding even more like cold mechanical musical mechanisms, Koloss is unique in that it feels as though it has room to breathe. It is no longer smothered by the layers of twisting and turning polyrhythmic structures layered one by one in a demon's equation. Now the violent industrialism we've come to expect is accompanied by the spacey haze of some rather delightful production techniques which breathe new life into what was once one of the most unique -- now one of the most emulated (for better or worse) acts in metal. Furthermore, the songs on Koloss are presented in a more straightforward, less labyrinthine manner, creating a flow within their undulating drop tuned pulses that has been noticeably absent since their Nothing days. This all creates a Meshuggah album that, throughout the entirety of its colossal 54 minute run time, is just as pleasing to listen to as it is fulfilling. Coming after releases such as Catch Thirtythree and obZen, this slight shift is all too welcome, as while they are both quite stunning pieces in their own right, it was nigh impossible to listen to and finish them without feeling as though an exhaustive weight being borne by the listener in the process.

Koloss is the perfect next step for Meshuggah. Often times it is hard for such a long running act to stay not only fresh but relevant in a sea of clones, but by making precise tweaks and adjustments to their sound by approaching Koloss with a new attitude, all the while holding fast to their core strengths, Meshuggah have given us the first truly engaging metal album of 2012.



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user ratings (1923)
3.8
excellent
other reviews of this album
1 of


Comments:Add a Comment 
AngelofDeath
Emeritus
March 20th 2012


16306 Comments


Does it have polyrhythms?

Madapaka
March 20th 2012


69 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

I listened to the first track today. It actually has swing to it. Great groove. I'm anxious to hear the whole album.

Tyler.
March 21st 2012


19033 Comments


this band? i've thing you've come to the wrong place


BallsToTheWall
March 21st 2012


51607 Comments


DWEMER METAL

Scoot
March 21st 2012


22767 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

so be honest, how many people shit their pants at that link i posted?

Athom
Emeritus
March 21st 2012


17244 Comments


you posted a link?

KjSwantko
March 21st 2012


12205 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Figured a staff member would beat me to a review before I could release mine in a few days. Thanks, Adam.



Album slays though and will be a contender for AOTY, for sure.

Scoot
March 21st 2012


22767 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

yeah it's pretty intriguing, really makes you think



http://up.liga.ir/images/6m7ux4qi4c6tyn7dvp1x.swf



greg84
Emeritus
March 21st 2012


7654 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I don't agree that's "the first truly engaging metal album of 2012" Otherwise, it's definitely the best Meshuggah release since 2002.

KjSwantko
March 21st 2012


12205 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

that's currently the most bumped soundoff on Koloss too scoot. Sputnik success. m/

Athom
Emeritus
March 21st 2012


17244 Comments


I have my laptop hooked up to some huge speakers right now and you know what... totally shit myself.

Tyler.
March 21st 2012


19033 Comments


fuck you i was expecting something cool

Yazz_Flute
March 21st 2012


19174 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

So I guess you really enjoyed this then.



I do think it's their most enjoyable release since Chaosphere so far.

Relinquished
March 21st 2012


48980 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

"as skilled and mind bending as they are, have basically released the same album over and over again since 1995's Destroy Erase Improve"



lmao

TheSpirit
Emeritus
March 21st 2012


30304 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0 | Sound Off

about two hours ago you were asking if this was any good





and a 4 review already?

Yazz_Flute
March 21st 2012


19174 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

I didn't quite shit myself at your soundoff but I had Cop Dog open in the other window and I was like FUUUUU for half a second before closing the window and nervously breaking into hysterical laughter.

Betacra
March 21st 2012


307 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

This album is like DEI level of quality.



Best Meshuggah release in a long time.

TheSpirit
Emeritus
March 21st 2012


30304 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0 | Sound Off

"Meshuggah have given us the first truly engaging metal album of 2012."



ugh

greg84
Emeritus
March 21st 2012


7654 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

^Somebody doesn't listen to a lot of metal on here. This sentence is wrong. This year has been great for heavy music so far.

MO
March 21st 2012


24115 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Fuck yes mr thomas



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