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Review Summary: Something so distant yet so close to home. I’ve been an exclusive metal recluse for quite some time now. Not just, a few weeks, a few months, no. Perhaps a year, or even more. Even more restricting is that i’ve narrowed it down largely to the extreme metal genres. So for over a year, was on a diet of almost strictly death and black metal. I’d hear songs completely outside of my genre box and love them and yet there I was shoving these bands aside. I don’t know what revelation dawned upon me that made me realize this. Perhaps it was my understanding that, if music were a world map, I have only been exploring my hometown. Yeah, maybe it’s comforting, maybe it’s easy, but what about the rest of the world? So I made a change. In the vast deserts of Australia I found Camel, in the gloomy, rainy streets of Seattle I found Thrice, in the suburbs surrounding Boston I found The Menzingers (disclaimer-none of these bands are actually from the aforementioned locations). There is a whole vast panorama in which I still have yet to experience, and somehow, right now, it has come almost full circle.
Almost.
“Radiation” straddles this very odd line of familiarity and alienness. The post-hardcore tag that sput has given “Impure Wilhelmina” is seemingly unwarranted here. No, this is more reminiscent of bands like Katatonia than anything, and yet it still remains far from sounding like them. The vocals are monotonous, dreary, and yet somehow very warm. Maybe not warm like a hot cup of hot chocolate while sitting on your recliner in the dead still of winter, but still the calming embrace is undeniably there. They invite you to exploit your darkest fears to it, to spill out all your melancholy. This is where, for me personally, the alienness resides. Typically I don’t listen to music that makes a profound emotional impact, and yet here this is, sweeping me away. Of course, this doesn’t make the vocals “perfect” because there are times where they border on droning and slightly boring, but these are thankfully few and far between. There is a large downside in the lyrics however, as they do not nearly match the conviction the vocals present, with uninspired lines being littered across the entire album. Nothing horrendous or off-putting, but certainly disappointing to say the least.
The familiarity lies more so in the instrumentation, which provides a fantastic support to the usually strong vocals present off “Radiation”. Oddly enough, the guitar work is somewhat reminiscent of something you would find off of an atmospheric black metal record, with riffs that are pristine yet slightly fuzzy to preserve the natural tone. The guitar work is generally a backbone, a dreary, melancholic backbone for dreary, melancholic vocals, although it has times where it is as equal a showstopper. The acoustic off of “We Need a New Sun” is a perfect example of this. In fact, I would go as far to say as it being the peak of the record, which is a bold statement considering the quality of music presented here.
So here I am, breaking free from my metal bubble, using this review as both a way to present the greatness of “Radiation” and as an excuse to spew forth some ranting bull*** i’ve been wanting to get off my chest for some time. There simply was no better place to do this than in review this record, because it made my realization come to fruition- the earth is vast. There are thousands upon thousands of extreme metal bands. Millions of bands of every genre. Millions of solo musicians. Countless numbers of genres I haven’t even dabbled in. I spent too much time trying to explore every nook and cranny of one location that I forgot the beauty that lies in the rest of the world. Perhaps we can all be more adventurous and realize we will never discover everything, but that it is more fulfilling if we try.
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Album Rating: 3.5
I'd really love some feedback. This is my first (kind of) non-metal review and it's been awhile by my standards since i've put anything out. Hope you all dig the album!
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
interesting recs...
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This band is still tagged "metal" sorry doesn't count!@!
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
could cut half of the review where you talk about yourself too? the other half isn't that bad, like the record.
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Yeah! You're a reeeal asshole making this whole review all about YOU
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
shut up mystle
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
It sort of ties in with the rest of the review though so I don't know about that, also the recs were bands that musicians cited as direct influences.
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Sir Wolfe no fun
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I understand that it's a bit unconventional, but I quite liked it. Not denying your criticism but the one thing I wouldn't do is take out the first half lol.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
it only ties because you bookended it. big turnoff from my perspective, rather read more about the record & not about the reviewer's music journey diary.
can't say that I'd rec Deftones since I don't really hear similarities or the spirit, yknow what I mean? maybe in the drumming and, through a stretch, the vox? idk I'd put good followups after one checks the reviewed records or some "for fans of" picks. the rest seem apt since they did take stuff from those bands.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Yeah I mean I can understand it, it's just I like to really write what the record makes me feel/think about, ya know? Also yeah the Deftones rec was a slight stretch but they definitely have that calming, soothing aesthetic at some points. I can hear the influence even if just a bit.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Unless something hits me like a massive ton of bricks though i'll probably refrain from the "musical journey diary" type of shit again, here I found it kind of apt though. But hey man, thanks for reading my review.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
I'd say work on it more when you get a chance, cuz a condensed version of the review is sounds reminiscent of bands like katatonia except not.
vocals are monotonous, dreary, yet warm. usually strong. at few times droning, slightly boring.
lyrics lack matching conviction with the vox.
guitarwork is reminiscent to atmospheric black metal. the dreary, melancholic backbone to the vocals.
doesn't paint much, buddy
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
"Maybe not warm like a hot cup of hot chocolate while sitting on your recliner in the dead still of winter, but still the calming embrace is undeniably there. They invite you to exploit your darkest fears to it, to spill out all your melancholy. This is where, for me personally, the alienness resides. Typically I don’t listen to music that makes a profound emotional impact, and yet here this is, sweeping me away. "
I think this states a lot about the record as well.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
seems I glided over that only cuz I didn't get that from this record at all. if you think those 4 lines are more than enough to carry the review then cool.
have u checked this band's other records?
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Nah I haven't, are they good?
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
just as good I'd say
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Yeah I mean I guess i'll listen to them then, currently listening to some Neurosis but maybe at some point today. Also sorry if I got a little too defensive earlier, not good at taking criticism although I sure as hell try lol.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
I gotchu, but I'd say you could review with either the goal as if you were to effectively convince someone of that 4/5 or a full-on opinion piece
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Yeah it's hard to have a foot in both places.
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