Inquisitor - Clinamen | Episteme - guest review
Inquisitor - Clinamen | Episteme - guest review
Tracklist
01. Hearken, Memmius!02. Hence The Mouthful Of Time
03. Quae Sint...
04. Evidence. The Inexorable Dowry
05. Of Waters And Circling Thetis
06. Peri Hermeneias
Guest review by
Alex F January 02, 2015
The songwriting on this album is among the best I have heard within my lifetime. The use of piano in every song does not feel even remotely out of place, and rather than detracting from the ferocity manifested, it adds an additional layer to the already complex web Inquisitor weave.
The album constantly straddles the line between the projection of raw emotion and the release of anger, which comes through most clearly in the riffing. While the cliches of modern black metal are present (even if only in a minor way), Inquisitor refuse to allow genre classifications to restrict stylistic experimentation within their music. Some chord progressions come straight from Jazz-instructional textbooks while others evoke a strong feeling of the avantgarde side of black metal (similar to Deathspell Omega). Despite the undeniably broad range of influences present in Clinamen | Episteme, none of it seems out of place, and much like the piano, each little aspect only further emphasizes the themes present.
The vocals seem to be a point of minor controversy, as they are not particularly visceral, and often employ a relatively high-pitched form of clean vocalization indicative of a wail or a cry. However, I find that they fit perfectly within the style Inquisitor have created, and a stylistic choice more similar to other bands of the style would prevent them from standing-out.
Clinamen | Episteme has managed to maintain my interest from the very first time I listened to it up until what must be its 25th play-through. It is a unique affair, but not experimental to the point of polarizing the audience very drastically. While some aspects in the album may not be as immensely strong as others, the entire album comes together marvelously and has proven to be one of the most addictive albums of 2014 for this reviewer.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 8 |
| Songwriting: | 10 |
| Originality: | 9 |
| Production: | 8 |
Written by Alex F | January 02, 2015
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:
11
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Posts: 5161
Much interest. The vocals sound like something I'd hate though. We'll see. Added Cleanhymen | Epicsperm to my list.
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This sounds right up my alley. Even down to the unexpected vocals; I love the unexpected, they just can't suck  Very excited for that piano. I'll definitely give this is a try!
---- "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: 5161 Written by Susan on 02.01.2015 at 21:54 Some people would take that statement and make it into a challenge  .
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Posts: 6941 Written by Ilham on 02.01.2015 at 21:57 A ha! Welcomed!!! 
---- "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: 3554
Don't really expect Ilham to like this, but Susan, you'll have a good time with this given the more prog-influenced nature of your interests.
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Posts: 3554 Written by Ilham on 02.01.2015 at 21:49 Well this is the albums new name in my eyes.
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Posts: 5161
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Posts: 3554 Written by Ilham on 02.01.2015 at 22:52 Haha I know, I just don't recall you listening to anything very similar to this. Of course I still want your opinion on it, because well, I obviously love it.
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Posts: 18615
The vocals not particularly visceral? Dude, sometimes they are way more aggressive than what Enslaved puts out. Enjoyed them a lot. Actually, at times these guys give Enslaved a serious run for their money but that's just me. Specially with those jazzy touches. Really complex music that stays focused the entire time. Damn I missed a lot of shit from last year because of the moving.
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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Posts: 3554 Written by X-Ray Rod on 03.05.2015 at 01:22 It would appear you did. I definitely agree that the jazzy touches achieve a level of complexity that Enslaved have not since Monumension, and I would definitely rate C|E over quite a few Enslaved releases as well. Glad you liked it! Also glad I could help you discover some stuff you missed out on
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Posts: 18615 Written by Alex F on 03.05.2015 at 01:24 Not to long ago you'd see me running away with anything with the word jazz on it. Probably because I fucking hate the masturbating some artists display. But lately I've discovered many metal bands that know how to use the influences and structures tastefully. This one is definitely one of them.
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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