Written by John doe on 11.04.2023 at 11:46

Second listen...
I don't know why I'm struggling with this, it's not a difficult album or challenging music.

To me personally that is exactly the problem. First I really hated this because I tend to not see anything exciting new or imaginative in this kind of proggy/alternative music with clean vocals. Like others have pointed out: this could have been the hot stuff during the 90´s on MTV. But the melodies are really good and even kind of heartfelt at times... and eventually it grew on me. Not saying that it needs to grow for anybody. Just saying, that I can relate to all parties or sides with this album.

Written by Dark Horizons on 06.04.2023 at 09:23

Written by John doe on 04.04.2023 at 10:58

I do not understand the hype here, just finished listening to it, first listen, I'm not feeling it. Needs more listens to sink in properly.

It's the same for me. Good album, but nothing more...

Add me to your company. I tried several times but not getting what most of others are getting here. Dont know why i am struggling. I tried it as a background for my drives to office and back from which I usually get one or two tracks from some slow growing albums, but here, nothing. 😞

We need more extreme metal with clean vocals.
This sounds amazing on many different levels and I cant find any weak points in it.

RAAAAAAAIIIISSSEEEE THE HAND IN DEFIANCE.

I rarely go back for a 2nd listen on an album I didn't like. Due to all the hype on this one, and me feeling like I'd missed something, I gave this another listen. Especially considering the hype is coming from several of the most respected and critical reviewers on this platform. I really wanted to hear what they heard. It turns out the second listen really did help. I don't know why that is but it feels like due to the way all of the songs kind of blend together, it has a tendency to go in one ear and out the other unless you are really listening closely to the music and not doing anything else.

I think the best way I can sum this album up is as follows:

Despite the technical proficiency, and ambitious songwriting, the album suffers from a lack of memorable hooks and truly standout moments making it difficult for individual songs to leave a lasting impression. It fails to fully engage me on an emotional level, and for that reason, I can't rate it as high as many others might. Royal and Departure were the only tracks that grabbed my attention at all.

Totally overrated and BORING album .. just like Riverside's new album that people have lost their shit over .. ngl, Wake The Silent and Departure are good songs anyway ..

Great album. Really good vocals and drumming. The lyrics, especially in the first three songs is spoken in such a way as if the guy is actually giving a sermon. This one has a great chance of becoming my progressive AOTY.

Written by datfish on 18.06.2023 at 02:03

Despite the technical proficiency, and ambitious songwriting, the album suffers from a lack of memorable hooks and truly standout moments making it difficult for individual songs to leave a lasting impression.

Hard disagree on that point, Wake the Silent, Light the Witch, and Departure have some of the best hooks of the whole year. It’s all subjective obviously but imo that’s perhaps the strongest point of the whole album.

Better take some time and listen to this today.

Written by Vellichor on 18.08.2023 at 19:35

Written by datfish on 18.06.2023 at 02:03

Despite the technical proficiency, and ambitious songwriting, the album suffers from a lack of memorable hooks and truly standout moments making it difficult for individual songs to leave a lasting impression.

Hard disagree on that point, Wake the Silent, Light the Witch, and Departure have some of the best hooks of the whole year. It’s all subjective obviously but imo that’s perhaps the strongest point of the whole album.

Respect your opinion for sure. I've viewed your top list and agree on many picks. And in fact Wake the Silent and Departure are 2 of the only 3 songs I liked on the album (the 3rd being Royal.) Light the Witch was okay but didn't quite do it for me. While I'll acknowledge it's at least a 'good' album, it's just not my thing I guess.

Written by datfish on 08.01.2024 at 03:39

Respect your opinion for sure

I respect yours as well, I can definitely understand why someone wouldn’t be into this album being that there’s a lot of slower parts and some of the songs tend run together in the middle. This one just hooked me pretty much instantly.