BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME – The Parallax II: Future Sequence

Label: Metal Blade Records

Release Date: October 9, 2012

Rating: 8/10

Reviewed by: ToddStar

In recent months, I have seemingly veered away from post hardcore and screaming music, but my pal Monica usually doesn’t steer me wrong.  At her recommendation, I decided to check out the latest from Between The Buried And Me.  Screaming aside, I am so glad I checked this out.

If you are a fan of metal and the familiar growl of hardcore, this is the disc for you, but you wouldn’t know it from the onset of the record.  The intro, “Goodbye To Everything” has beautiful layered vocals and instrumentation.  This theme recurs often through the record and gives the disc a very different feel from anything else you have come to know from this band or the genre as a whole.  Imagine BTBAM revamping in the style of prog rockers Yes.  This carries over to “Astral Body” as well.  The guitar and drums in the beginning have a fusion feel to them.  This is good stuff.  If you aren’t into the aggressive vocals, you can hopefully hear past them and get into the music, as it is well played here.

Several of the tracks here combine different components from hardcore, progressive, and fusion.  This disc seems to slide seamlessly between the musical styles and it somehow works here.  Just when you think you are ready for a change, one happens.  This is true in a few tracks, but one of my favs that splice these two different sounds is the ten-minute track “Lay Your Ghosts To Rest.”  Other standouts that use this method are “Extremeophile Elite” and “Telos.”  One of my favorites here is “The Black Box.”  This track demonstrates the vocal ability of lead singer Tommy Giles Rogers.  This guy can sing when he isn’t screaming.  The musicianship throughout the disc is very strong, regardless of your love for any specific genre.  These guys know how to play.

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Category: CD Reviews