Blindead - Ascension - guest review
Blindead - Ascension - guest review
Tracklist
01. Hearts02. Hunt
03. Horns
04. Wastelands
05. Pale
06. Fall
07. Gone
08. Ascend
09. Hope
Guest review by
Boris_Pembroke December 21, 2016
A common element throughout the album is atmosphere, something established right from the start with the 3-minute build-up of synths and tribal-sounding drums in the intro of "Hearts". The tracks are overall more varied musically than Absence back in 2013, ranging from the fast-paced progressive metal of "Hunt" to the slower moody prog rock of "Gone" and "Wastelands".
Ascension continues the trend of their previous two albums, with less distorted and more clean guitars, in addition experimenting with various atmospheric synths to mostly good effect. Recently-joined vocalist Piotr Pieza makes his first appearance here, bringing a grunge-like delivery to the table. His integration into the band is fairly seamless, with there being no remarkable deviation in style from previous vocalist Patryk Zwoliński.
The (almost) title track "Ascend" combines everything which makes the album so emotionally captivating, from the eerie atmospheric keyboard intro to the raw anguish in the heavy climax of the song. What results is one of the greatest songs of the band's career, and what would have a made for a more fitting closer than the comparatively weak, acoustic "Hope".
As an album Ascension doesn't flow from song to song as flawlessly as Affliction does, and is somewhat less layered and complex. However, it is nonetheless a stellar achievement in songwriting and production that could not be mistaken for any other band, a sometimes rare feat in music nowadays, and is unmistakably one of the top metal albums of 2016.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 9 |
| Songwriting: | 8 |
| Originality: | 9 |
| Production: | 9 |
Written by Boris_Pembroke | December 21, 2016
Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
Comments
Comments:
3
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That's a really well written review! For a moment I even though that tea[m]ster wrote it  But he, just like me, wouldn't be so optimistic on this one...
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Posts: 5282
The vocals are awful, musically it's fine. Most disappointing release for me this year. Excellent review and thanks.
---- rekt
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Posts: 670  |
Posts: 670
Awful is stretching it. However they too are what derailed my entire enjoyment of the album. Now, not all vocal moments are this way. That intro is lovely. So too are other moments and harmonies (ex: the majority of the track 'Gone'). It's the clean Serj (System of A Down) or Andy Schmidt (Disillusion) like vocals that make me want to cringe. Don't get me wrong, I do like those vocalists in their environment, it's just not what I am happy to hear with Blindead. I've probably hit the 12 spin mark with this album and I'm sad to feel such much mixed emotions persist. I do not expect them to subside. On a positive Polish band note, that new vocalist of Votum is the polar opposite of what happen with Blindead. Not since the introduction of Tomi Joutseni to Amorphis have I felt such a positive impact with a band. Here's hoping this Blindead album (vocal wise) is a stepping stone of greater things to come. Thanks for this review Boris_Pembroke
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