Votum - :Ktonik: - review
Votum - :Ktonik: - review
Tracklist
01. Satellite02. Greed
03. Spiral
04. Blackened Tree
05. Simulacra
06. Prometheus
07. Horizontal
08. Vertical
09. Last Word
A review by
LeKiwi May 29, 2016
This release primarily features no-fluff progressive metal that draws heavily on post-metal elements, resulting in emotive passages regularly interspaced by groove-oriented instrumentation in odd time signatures. Votum have always written relatively accessible albums, and :Ktonik: is no exception. Structurally, the music isn't particularly challenging, with a single listen sufficient to digest the material. What does impress me, however, is that the album and the songs alike have a veritably organic flow that deviates from your usual fare of modern prog. The songwriting takes on a very natural cadence: key-driven ambient passages swell into multi-layered, moving performances glazed with tasteful leads and impassioned vocals before dwindling once more into a state of calm. The crisp wall-of-sound production finely complements these undulations and is certainly one of the highlights of the album.
Having been familiar with the band's previous work, I was struck by two changes to their sound in particular. Firstly, the vocals are of an entirely different calibre and, as it turns out, freshly-recruited Bartosz Sobieraj has taken over those duties. Equally capable of smooth cleans and grit-laden cries, his multifaceted, mid-range performance proves a perfect fit for the band's newly augmented style. He also takes his place as one of three guitarists, which brings me to the other change in their sound. Perhaps as a result of the two newly-appointed guitarists, :Ktonik: is far more dynamic - a welcome change after their more one-dimensional work preceding this release. The music also leans towards melodies and vibes of the melancholic sort, further enhanced by Bartosz's vocals.
With :Ktonik:, Votum has truly blossomed into a unique and mature stylistic identity. The synergy of this new line-up is one to be reckoned with, crafting impressively well-knit songs that take on dense post-metal, groovy prog, and keyboard-laden atmospheres. Any fan of brooding progressive metal or reigned-in post-metal would find themselves right at home with this album. Votum will, without a doubt, take their newfound inspiration and passion to greater heights, and when they do, I will be there.
[url= https://innerwound.bandcamp.com/album/ktonik]What about you?[/url]
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 9 |
| Songwriting: | 9 |
| Originality: | 8 |
| Production: | 10 |
Written by LeKiwi | May 29, 2016
Comments
Comments:
20
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190 users
| LuciferOfGayness
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 Posts: 1122 |
Posts: 1122 Written by [user id=157444] on 30.05.2016 at 14:40 Nope.  Checked this out yesterday, and it has some pretty good tunes. The momentum didn't carry over that strongly to the back end of the album on first spin though.
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Posts: 4326 Written by Risto on 30.05.2016 at 17:02 Yeah, I felt the same way. Fortunately repeated listens really brought out the magic
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| Posts: 4326 |
Posts: 4326 Written by [user id=157444] on 30.05.2016 at 14:40 Cheers It's my third...I don't know what to call it. We should probably keep this on topic though
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Posts: 6941
Excellent review, Kiwi! I'm captivated by the music (at least the songs streaming on bandcamp) and your words are a warm complement to the music. I was not previously familiar with them but I have a feeling this is a fine place to start. This was so thought-provoking: "there is a point in every band's discography that one can point to and say, "that's where it happened," Now I'm going through all my favorite bands in my head going, "yep, ok there, and them, there..." 
---- "A life all mine Is what I choose At the end of my days" --The Gathering "A Life All Mine" from Souvenirs
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Posts: 4326 Written by Susan on 02.06.2016 at 01:11 Thanks Susan! This album sure is a great place to start and you may find yourself enjoying their previous works as well. Let me know what you think if you get around to listening to the rest of the album
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Posts: 5289
This is my 2016 mid-point album of the year. The comparisons to fellow countryman Riverside are apparent but as you mentioned, there are post metal elements in the music. This is my first experience with the band, but after many listens, I get a total Katatonia vibe. Excellent review and thanks.
---- rekt
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| Posts: 4326 |
Posts: 4326 Written by tea[m]ster on 23.06.2016 at 17:27 Indeed both Katatonia and Riverside are worthy comparisons! I avoid using them in my reviews, but I feel like I should start putting "FFO: (band)" at the end.
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| !J.O.O.E.!
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| Posts: 6941 |
Posts: 6941
I've finally had a chance to really digest this record. It's SO FUCKING BEAUTIFUL. You use the word "brooding" in the final paragraph and that's incredibly spot on for several of the songs. Also, YASS: "key-driven ambient passages swell into multi-layered, moving performances glazed with tasteful leads and impassioned vocals before dwindling once more into a state of calm"
---- "A life all mine Is what I choose At the end of my days" --The Gathering "A Life All Mine" from Souvenirs
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Posts: 3593 Written by [user id=4365] on 24.06.2016 at 00:53 It was a nice sarcasm though.
---- Crackhead Megadeth reigns supreme.
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| !J.O.O.E.!
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| Posts: 3593 |
Posts: 3593 Written by [user id=4365] on 20.10.2016 at 20:23 Naaaa he is an Esoteric fan too. I can confirm it after talking about their upcoming new album.
---- Crackhead Megadeth reigns supreme.
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| !J.O.O.E.!
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Posts: 4367
What a ridiculous comment from LoG at the top here. Good riddance to that condescending snob. 
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Posts: 5827  |
Posts: 5827
Is there some hidden ink written in condescending on Gayness' ancient comment? It just reads like a normal comment to me... Or is there an inside joke of some sort?
---- "Aah! The cat turned into a cat!" - Reimu Hakurei
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| !J.O.O.E.!
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Posts: 9576 Written by [user id=4365] on 24.06.2016 at 00:53 Not even close, this IS Metalstorm remember.
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Posts: 11983
Finally listened to this properly and I have to say I like it quite a bit. The only problem sometimes it that it sounds too much like Riverside But hey, at least they have awesome taste.
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