Los Random - Pidanoma review
| Band: | Los Random |
| Album: | Pidanoma |
| Style: | Avantgarde metal, Progressive metal |
| Release date: | January 2014 |
01. Corto Normal
02. Ojota Y Media
03. Mee Chango
04. Mia Gato Está Solo En La Oscuridad
05. Guri Guri Tres Piñas
I was almost starting to get disappointed in the fact that there hadn't really been any particularly bizarre releases thus far this year to satisfy my inner experimental whore. Thankfully, Random's sophomore album has proven me wrong. Dead wrong.
At first glance, one might assume that these Argentines are playing a simple imitation of modern prog metal. And that guess wouldn't be too far off, for Pidanoma does indeed kick off with "Corto Normal," plunging the listener into some heavily off-beat rhythms, vocals (in Spanish) reminiscent of Mastodon during their more mellow moments, and a pleasantly audible bass tone that roars along throughout under the guitar riffs. Nothing too new and fancy, right?
Well guess again, dear listener, because Random are, above all, here to deceive and surprise you. All of the tracks that follow more or less have a way of beginning with this typical modern prog style, but then degenerating into pure (for lack of a better word) randomness the further they go on, becoming a lot more outlandish and avantgarde in the process. "Mia Gato Esta Solo En La Oscuridad" for example, starts with some casual guitar riffage, but soon takes a sharp turn for the unconventional. A strange use of effects sneaks in, and before you even know what happened, you're plunged into an atmosphere devoid of the previous familiarity, where bass and percussion carry the song, with an eerie layer of synths and spoken word to make the journey even more unusual. And things just spiral even more out of control from there.
It's easy to call Random's Pidanoma progressive metal, but even that label doesn't entirely do the album justice, and somewhat misleads as to the level of peculiarity lurking deep within it. With a wide array of musical structure and techniques, and a good attention to production detail to help bring them all out to a T, Pidanoma is a real gem of an album, that somewhat restores my faith progressive metal, while also transcending many of its common clichés. It's certainly "out there" enough to be considered genuinely avantgarde at many points, and only raises hopes ever higher for the band to experiment and push boundaries in the future. Random may be outclassed later in the year on the weirdness level by a certain someone, but for now, their level of craziness is pretty damn satisfying.
Get on the randomness!
 | Written on 19.03.2014 by Metal Storm’s own Babalao. Comforting the disturbed and disturbing the comfortable since 2013. |
Comments
Comments: 29
Visited by: 217 users
| mordecai Account deleted |
mordecai
Account deleted
Great album! More bizarre and weird than it's predecesor! Random is one of the best Argentinian band nowadays... this is the proof! 
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| Auntie Sahar Drone Empress elite Posts: 5941  |
Written by Guest on 19.03.2014 at 19:25 Haven't listened to the debut yet, but from reviews I've read, yes, it's not as strange as this. I'd bet it's still pretty good though(?)
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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| mordecai Account deleted |
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| X-Ray Rod Skandino staff Posts: 18274  |
Written by Auntie Sahar on 19.03.2014 at 19:28 I really liked their previous album. This one feels kind of dark while the other one has a fun feeling to it. The artworks for the respective albums match perfectly. 
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| Unhealer Eclecticist Posts: 2311  |
Best thing so far this year. Progressive metal was more fitting for their previous album, this one really goes deep into avant territories after the interlude. It's worth noting that the ex-Mars Volta Adrián Terrazas is playing sax on the third track as a guest 
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| Auntie Sahar Drone Empress elite Posts: 5941 |
Written by Unhealer on 19.03.2014 at 19:49 Yep, I saw that note on the Bandcamp. Totally cool 
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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| Auntie Sahar Drone Empress elite Posts: 5941 |
Written by X-Ray Rod on 19.03.2014 at 19:48 Yeah, that cover with the girl flying with the rainbow banner. I was reading a review for it on MA and someone called it "the most unmetal album cover ever" 
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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| -DC-002- Mastercommander Posts: 1703  |
Great stuff. Most definitely a highlight of the year I'd say.
---- Coldgrits
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| R'Vannith ghedengi elite Posts: 3099  |
Their previous one was a promised visit to the psych ward, this one sounds like a guarantee from what you've said. Thanks for the review.
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| Monolithic ♠♠♠ Posts: 668  |
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| BloodTears ANA-thema elite Posts: 11835  |
Now this is random... Okay, that was too easy. I'm definitely checking out this out, even though I think Che's taste in prog leaves much to be desired. (You know I love you  )
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| Auntie Sahar Drone Empress elite Posts: 5941 |
Written by BloodTears on 20.03.2014 at 11:42 Who can't love a lovable, huggable Avantgardist such as myself?  By the way, I do have a pretty intense love for some classic prog rock (eg 70s era stuff) that I'd be more than happy to share with you anytime 
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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| mz Posts: 4773  |
Sounds like something I'd enjoy. Definitely checking this ASAP. Thanks for the review.
---- Giving my ears a rest from music.
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| X-Ray Rod Skandino staff Posts: 18274 |
Written by Auntie Sahar on 20.03.2014 at 14:33 Back off, bitch. Written by BloodTears on 20.03.2014 at 11:42 And you... We'll talk later.
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| psykometal A staff guy... elite Posts: 6101  |
Lulz. Rod so cute. His mane must have stood on end reading that.
---- ~Zep, Database and Forum Moderation~ 
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| Auntie Sahar Drone Empress elite Posts: 5941 |
Written by X-Ray Rod on 20.03.2014 at 22:38 Don't be a jelly belly, or I might just have to eat you
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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| !J.O.O.E.! Account deleted |
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| X-Ray Rod Skandino staff Posts: 18274 |
Written by Guest on 21.03.2014 at 18:25 I knew I wasn't going to be the only one who thought about those guys while listening to the second half. One of the reasons to why I ended up liking it so much.
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| !J.O.O.E.! Account deleted |
!J.O.O.E.!
Account deleted Written by X-Ray Rod on 21.03.2014 at 18:44 It's because you're awesomely cultured. ( ¬‿¬)
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| X-Ray Rod Skandino staff Posts: 18274 |
Written by Guest on 21.03.2014 at 18:47 I haven't been able to sit properly after so much culture.
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| !J.O.O.E.! Account deleted |
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| K✞ulu Seeker of Truth Posts: 2570  |
Oh, what a surprise! Will check this out. Their debut was very interesting. Thanks for sharing!
---- Savor what you feel and what you see Things that may not seem important now But may be tomorrow R.I.P. Chuck Schuldiner Satan was a Backstreet Boy
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| mz Posts: 4773 |
Written by Guest on 21.03.2014 at 18:25 Exactly how I felt about it. Also, it reminds me of tool at some points, which I know you are a big fan of.
---- Giving my ears a rest from music.
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| !J.O.O.E.! Account deleted |
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| mz Posts: 4773 |
Written by Guest on 22.03.2014 at 00:32 Good for you. That's quiet an achievement itself ;p
---- Giving my ears a rest from music.
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| Darkside Momo Retired elite Posts: 9087  |
Nice weird stuff here. Not sure they're totally to my tastes, but they're definitely interesting
---- My Author's Blog (in French)  "You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you" "I've lost too many years now I'm stealing back my soul I am awake"
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| Lethrokai Posts: 507  |
We finally have some good movement in the avant-garde/prog scene!
---- Sometimes you just need to roll the dice and look away.
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| Auntie Sahar Drone Empress elite Posts: 5941 |
Written by Lethrokai on 23.03.2014 at 11:17 Watchu talkin bout, Willis? There's always been good movement in the Avant scene, just gotta dig deep for it But I would definitely call this album the first great release within the genre for the year, I haven't really seen much else this weird for 2014 yet.
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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| Lethrokai Posts: 507 |
Written by Auntie Sahar on 23.03.2014 at 16:16 Whoops! I was actually talking about the scene in this particular year. I guess I was just excited and forgot to leave it out. My bad But yeah, this is definitely a standout for 2014.
---- Sometimes you just need to roll the dice and look away.
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