Events
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
I need to take a moment and give some credit to the Genius recommendation system on iTunes. Granted, it’s success rate is somewhat low, but it has introduced me to the best melodic heavy metal album I’ve heard since… well, I’ll go so far as to say since Opeth released Blackwater Park (2001). Seriously. I say that in reference to composition, recording, and production. I cannot stop listening to this wonderful band hailing from Germany: Disillusion.
Typically, I prefer to tell all of my friends about new music through posts such as this, but I was far too excited to hold this one back until this post went live. So, if you follow me via facebook or twitter, this band may not be a surprise… if it’s not, then hopefully it’s a reminder to make you buy Disillusion’s Back to Times of Splendor (2004). If you crave heavy metal with talent and tolerate/embrace/love the occasional screaming (e.g. bands like Opeth), then Back to Times of Splendor is a must own. Now, if Disillusion was just another Opeth clone, I’d simply suggest checking this band out. Make no mistake, Disillusion is no clone. The only reason I make the comparison to Opeth is that they both play fast and heavy mixed with quiet and mellow compositions. Disillusion reminds me of some sort of mixture of Opeth, System of a Down, and… hear me out on this one… Rusted Root. That’s right, I said it.
Back to Times of Splendor is a few minutes shy of an hour across only six tracks. It was played and written by all around fantastic musicians and recorded by someone that clearly knows what he’s doing and does it well. Simply put, it’s a fantastic and cohesive album with a fantastic recording just begging you to blow out your stereo. The first track, And the Mirror Cracked, is the the heaviest song (but not by much) with the harshest vocals. If rough vocals aren’t your thing, just wait it out for a couple minutes. Before you know it, you’ll hear some actual singing, and in the mean time you’ll get some great guitar work and drumming. Just a few minutes into this eight and half minute opener mellows out very smoothly to an acoustic guitar and piano.
The song that caught my immediate attention was Fall. This song has the most explicit stylistic choices that remind me of Rusted Root. You’ll hear what I mean if you listen to the audio sample at the top of this post. I’m not sure how else to explain the pure blissful craziness that is Fall. The fifth track, A Day by the Lake, is definitely the most mellow track on the album and it even has a fretless bass used… I don’t hear that often enough in rock. Each song on this album has unique qualities from one another. That’s really what makes this such an enjoyable album. Aside from the sonic characteristics, if you read my editorial Song Structure, you’ll know that I have a thing for creative song structures. I even made a comment about using an album’s track lengths to quantify said creativity. Back to Times of Splendor has six tracks: 8:28, 4:54, 6:53, 14:39, 4:54, and 17:03. Despite the coincidence of two tracks having the exact same length, there’s no Mr. Coffee in use here! So, to all metal heads looking for intense, heavy, articulate guitar work and drumming, creative song structures, melodic singing, and a strong sense of diversity throughout an album, you need look no further than Back to Times of Splendor.
I feel obligated to say that Disillusion’s follow-up album, Gloria (2006), is a significant departure. But I was so blown away by Back to Times of Splendor that I trusted their artistic choices to explore industrial, electronic, and gothic genres in Gloria… but not until after I caught my breath from the knock-out punch to my gut from Back to Times of Splendor. I will warn you, that you won’t likely appreciate Gloria to its full extent (or maybe not even at all) if you don’t listen to Back to Times of Splendor first… unless you’re already into said genres. Luckily, you can hear several full-lenth tracks from Gloria on their official homepage. Gloria is a testament to their artistic dedication, that said it’s only for those that can appreciate such an attribute.
Add New Comment
Viewing 7 Comments
Thanks. Your comment is awaiting approval by a moderator.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Add New Comment