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Review Summary: "This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it." In its waking moments, Siderius Nuncius sounds as urgent as possible. Opening track “Tycho Magnetic Anomaly One” sets the mood perfectly for this dash of black metal-come-post-rock-- atmospherics and emotional longing hand-in-hand. The sample meshes marvelously with the building instrumentation, until the next song is ready to take the reins. And during all this time, Apocynthion has about convinced you that it doesn't even need to plunge into its instrumentation to fully satisfy.
This is the dilemma Siderius Nuncius presents us with, then-- when it really and truly kicks in, it's a bit disappointing. This can be attributed to a few things, but the main thing on my mind is production. Each element of the band's sound lacks that oomph, the specific pull that typically makes this breed of release something more than the sum of its parts. The overall mix doesn't do this group justice, and it's a damned shame since the songwriting here is incredibly solid. Songs like “Redux” are several minutes long, each taking several turns melodically, but always are exciting to listen to. It's just difficult to appreciate this record like I could, when I know which ingredients it's lacking.
The only thing I can hope for is that Apocynthion finds a producer that does them justice. The group has a raw sound that could be used in a positive direction-- I think it just needs an executive push from another party to show which parts of its sound could be improved. One thing's for certain, though-- Apocynthion is starting to get its name out there. People are catching on to the promise in this band, and I think it's because they hear the things I do. Maybe they're simply moved by the genuine emotion in this release's pocket. It's possible that, like me, this crowd wants to see them succeed as much as I do, to witness Apocynthion release something that fulfills all of our expectations.
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Check out this record here, and buy it if you like what you hear:
http://apocynthion.bandcamp.com/album/sidereus-nuncius
| | | Was just checking this last week
| | | It's definitely pretty cool. These guys are one to watch, excited to see what is in their future
| | | weak production is sometimes not a drawback for me, so I think I will check this out. if the musicianship overcomes those
shortfalls, then ill probably like it.
solid review as well.
| | | Thanks man! It depends on how important production is to you. If what you say is true, ican imagine you'll get a lot out of this release on the whole.
| | | This sounds interesting. Will definitely check out. Artwork is kind of cool as well.
Good work as always, Jacob.
| | | gave this a listen. nothing really compelling to it, but there were some standout parts. i see what you mean on production values though, and it has a slight negative impact on some of the drum parts here (it sounds like there's an echo). this is probably in the ballpark of a 3 for me.
band definitely knows how to use soundbites to their advantage though.
| | | correlations wasn't bad, gonna check this
| | | artwork is sexy
| | | ^
might give this a spin, sometimes bad production bothers me, but sometimes they pull a Mechina and make me not care about the mix.
| | | related artists - alcest
....no thanks
| | | better than incest
| | | I'd surely hope so
| | | Good review, I'm somewhat entranced by the artwork so ill hear it.
| | | Thanks man. I actually like the cover artwork less than the rest of the CD booklet, although I enjoy all of it. Take a look here:
http://f0.bcbits.com/img/0001463548_10.jpg
| | | damn that looks downright gorgeous, stillhaven't heard it though.
| | | Pretty cool they got the purple wizards Blake Adam and Ders to be on the cover
| | | its awkward how they went all out on the cover and physical production when the audio production is so lacking.
| | | Did you download the full quality version? Because the production on the one on Spotify played at 320 sounds freaking GORGEOUS.
I listened to the bandcamp stream (which plays at 128kbps MP3), it sounded weak and flat. Full quality? It's INCREDIBLE. The drums
at the opening of Red Shift are powerful, the bass is big, and when the guitars kick in around 2:10 it's gigantic and moving.
I know I can't neg a staff review, but I fear this one earns one because it's making production criticisms based on a faulty version.
The production on this album is stellar for its style. One of the better examples I've heard, even. It's less screeching and painful than
Sunbather, for example.
| | | well i definitely listened to the CD the band gave me SO i fear your neg is misdirected my good friend
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