Mark Visco Photography: 2011

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Animals As Leaders - Weightless

11/8/11 Prosthetic Records

If you haven’t heard any Animals As Leaders yet, SHAME ON YOU. This progressive metal threesome is from Washington DC, with creator Tosin Abasi (formerly from Reflux) guitarist Javier Reyes, and drummer Navene Koperweis. They play 8 strings, they blow your mind, and they're a very unique and excellent band, end of story! Weightless is their Second album off Prosthetic since they formed on 08, and a much anticipated one at that.

Recurring words I found in my notes: Spastic, finger tapping, perfect, melodic, heavy, aggression, seizure, experimental, crunchy, emotions, talent.

The first track, "An Infinite Regression", is a finger tapping frenzy which leads into a melodic metal rendition that is parallel with the intro, they give you a slight break a few minutes in with just enough time to catch your breath before the rest of the album begins. "An Infinite Regression" keeps your head bobbing the whole way through, and I’m certain that the rest of the album will do exactly the same. They seem to be adding new elements to their writing with tracks "Odessa" and “Do Not Go Gently” but still have the same writing and sound that we know and love, and they display that in “Somnarium”, “Earth Departure”, (the most experimental and beautiful song on the album), “Cylindrical Sea”, and a few others. “Cylindrical Sea” displays all 3 of their talents and strong points, it stays with the premise of being crazy, yet sticking to a route and plan throughout. Towards the end, “Espera” hits, and for a short song it is packed with many emotions and moods, it’s executed perfectly and segues into “To Lead You To An Overwhelming Question”. This is one of those songs that you think to yourself “I want to see them play this live!”, and to me, it sums up the album as a whole. Then we get to the title track, which is pretty much AAL in a nutshell. If a friend were to ask, “What does Animals As Leaders sound like?”, I’d tell them to pop on track 11. Great recipe for a song, evokes every emotion possible, and a great way to lead out of an album and into the final track "David", a very mellow outro, saying goodbye to the listener, and if you weren’t a fan already, then you definitely are now.

“Weightless” is a great AAL album, and a great metal album. They’ve progressed since their first album, added some more techniques, while keeping the good old ones in here as well, a great sophomore album. Despite being instrumental, which is one of my favorite aspects, they evoke just as much and accomplish just as much as bands with multiple singers and members. AAL always leaves you wanting more, whether it’s the end of a riff, song, or album, we've all got the hunger. LISTEN TO ANIMALS AS LEADERS.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Carnifex – Until I feel nothing

10/24/11 Victory Records.

Carnifex was an old English term for a public executioner that would execute people from the lowest ranks of life , seems fitting right? “Until I Feel Nothing” is the fourth full length album (third off of Victory Records) for these San Diego death metallers, and it’s as heavy as they come. Like all delicious Carnifex, they mix low tuned guitars, guttural vocals, cymbal abuse, and snare blasts, to make one great listen.

Recurring words I found in my notes: Fast, in your face, aggressive, low, gritty, consistent brutality, dark, gritty, loud as hell, fast as hell.

The album opens with an eerie intro, probably the music you'll hear on your descent to hell, involving some keys and the traditional Carnifex ingredients of breakdowns, ridiculous drum work, and terrifying vocals like "FUCK THE WORLD" that'll slap the beard off your face. The tracks that follow are a great audible way to show you what Carnifex is all about, from "Wretched Entropy" to the title track, they’ll suck you in and keep your ears happy and listening. "Never Forgive Me" shows their skills and true colors and adds a touch of orchestrated beauty towards the end, while keeping to their darkness (as always) and screaming “Don’t bother calling my name, I’ll be watching the world decay.” The title track (ironically) is the summary of the whole album, and band even. Very aggressive and in your face much like all of Carnifex's art, and the next few tracks seem to follow suit. With "A Grave To Blame" being the grittiest track on the album, and "We Spoke Of Lies" being the loudest and fastest, they both lead in to the final track "Deathwish", which is the perfect ending to an assault of an album.

“Until I feel Nothing” is 30 minutes of perfect Carnifex, pure eardrum abuse, and aggression. The guys are really going back to their roots yet still keeping it fresh, which is exactly what fans want and feed on. Even before flipping through the lyrics book, from your first listen you can tell this is about their disgust with the condition and state of the world and its occupants and their hatred towards both. This album is another great addition to your metal library, from a great band. LISTEN TO CARNIFEX.