Review Summary: A heavy album that retains all of its charm and jaw dropping luster after all these years.
Considering the approaching reunion show in October, now may be an appropriate time as ever to discuss Into the Moat's masterpiece "The Design." This album was released in 2005 and the fact that it is still musically relevant in 2012 is a testament to the band's foresight and commitment to innovation. While the vocal styles and production may be slightly dated, the immense riffs, surgically precise drumming, and the more than clever songwriting remain jaw dropping after thousands of listens over the years. Sonically, this album is crushing and everything is perfectly mixed. The angular but groovy riffs are played beyond cleanly and the guitarists take great care to present the parts as clearly and precisely as possible. The rhythm section effectively reigns in the wild grooves and exposes the primal roots of the dense guitar lines.
At almost every moment in the album some kind of hook is coming at the listener: A meticulously and purposefully placed high scream ("Beyond Treachery"), a jazz break("Empty Shell","Dead Before I Stray"), or a floor shaking heavy part ("Century I","Prologue..."). All of these elements add up to an album that is surprising at every turn. The listener is left to wrap his or her mind around the technicality. This album demands repeated listens to understand the language that Into The Moat is using to communicate their music.
Bands as far spread as the likes of
Bone Dance,
Fero Lux, and
Courtships owe their fledgling sounds to the path carved by ITM. As relevant today as it was the year it was released, "The Design" remains a pinnacle of heavy/chaotic/technical hardcore. If you have not heard this album, do yourself a favor and get familiar with it now. With a reunion show in the near future, Into the Moat are once again poised to do great things.
