Animals As Leaders - Animals As Leaders (12 tracks) +Album Reviews

Simply Stunning

Mr. L. E. J. Fischer | 06/09/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm going to start off this review by saying this is a profound advancement in technical and progressive metal. This album is a true reflection of an incredible amount of skill that does not overbear a wonderful sense of musical taste. Overall the album is hardly repetitive, constantly shifting in mood and intensity from heavy, rhythmically interesting riffs to subtle melodies and pleasing phrases, giving this album an incredible depth and texture most new musical projects fail to deliver.

The first track, Tempting Time, seems to be a logical place to start. This song is truly staggering in every way imaginable. Beginning the song with careful use of synthesizer and sampling effects lays the foreground for a monster jackhammer riff courtesy of Tosin Abasi. The technical skill in this song is unbelievable, with such sonic intensity created and the surprising thing to note is none of this is repetitive or tiring to listen to. Midway, the song shifts to a cleanly executed 7 finger tapping line, one of my favourites in the whole album; a clear indication of the phenomenal writing and technical ability of Tosin.

The contrast of this album is a feature I find to prominent. The wonderfully delicate and tasteful Soraya almost resembles the musical variation of Scale the Summit. The jazz fusion influence is noticable throughout the album, and adds a unique dimension to each song's development. "Behaving Badly" and "The Price of Everything and the Value of Nothing" are examples of this. Coupled with shifts in time signature numerous times hint an obvious Meshuggah influence, but this is definitely not even close to a Meshuggah clone album in any respect. Each song develops in its own unique way, offering a wide range of distinct musical tones that intrigue every part of the listener.

Modern Meat is another example of a wonderfully orchestrated jazz influenced track played on a detuned acoustic, which provides a reefreshing break from the onslaught of intense shift in time signature and aggressive lead playing. The lack of accompaniment gives the carefully chosen guitar phrase to develop beautifully. My only grievance is it only goes on for 2 minutes!

Overall, this album is a masterpiece. The involvement of Periphery's Misha "Bulb" Mansoor on the album of whom I am a huge fan only makes me look forward any and all new material from the project. Do not hesitate for a second. Buy this album and you will never regret it.

"

Hands down the best metal cd I've ever bought, one word "EPI

A. Phillis | pgh pa | 10/01/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album cover to cover absolutely blew me away the first time I heard it. This is progressive metal at it's best! I've never even heard of these guys before I bought this album. Every track on this album is a work of art, an epic journey. Tosin Abasi is a musical mastermind. All instrumental, no vocals, just raw talent. I simply cannot stop listening to this record! I must see these guys live! Best $9 bux I've ever spent."

Essential Listening

Noah Wolfe | 09/01/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mr. L.E.J. Fischer's review is dead-on. I don't wish to rehash what has been said, other than to add - do yourself a favor and pick this up; particularly if you are looking for a wonderfully fresh perspective on highly technical guitar work. Make no doubt, Tosin Abasi is pure monster, with a wholly unique and inspirational approach.

To answer a below reviewer's comment on the drum work; it is programmed by Misha Mansoor, polyrhythmic 7/8 string-weilding maven of DC-based Periphery fame. Though not listed in the liner notes, I am pretty sure he uses DFH (Drumkit From Hell, Tomas Haake sample library).

This is an incredible piece of programming work, to say the least. The last time I was this impressed with percussion programming as a work of art was Meshuggah's Catch-33. The mix here is superior to the infamous Catch-33 recording, however. The kick and rhythm guitar tracks absolutely leap off this disc, just begging to be cranked on a high-end system.

Want. More. Now!"

One of the Most Creative Minds in the Genre

C. M. Gillum | Michigan | 07/22/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Their are literally thousands of excellent bands going unheard by the main populace of the Metal lovers world wide, however very.. Very few even grasp this level of musicianship, creativity and sheer brilliance. Tosin Abasi formerly of the much overlooked group Reflux is the heart, soul and mind behind this modern masterpiece that Metal and Hard Rock fans can not afford to overlook.

The album starts off with a unique blend of jazzy rhythm backed by trance styled synth then erupts into a barrage of technical pummeling rhythm guitar and crushing drum work. Soon all that is overtaken by soaring technical and mesmerizing leads and soon the jazzy beat and synth returns and slows things down as Tosin lays down some superb acoustics then the track explodes into a barrage of crunch rhythm and powerful leads.

After only hearing the first track I knew immediately this one man was easily one of the best guitarists and all around musicians in the industry. I can agree that this music is difficult to label but it is most definitely somewhere in the grey area between Progressive and Technical Metal. But honestly labeling something so fresh, new and inspiring is unfair, simply enjoy the music.

The follow up to the opener is a far more melodic track loaded with tranquil acoustic guitar, unique leads and engrossing atmosphere. This at the very beginning gives you a dramatic contrast to how this man can perform several spectrum's of music flawlessly. The follow up to the melodic second track is a chaotic Tech Metal song, that wouldn't be out of place on a Meshuggah album.

As a guitarist myself I am inspired to improve my own skills after listening to what Tosin has accomplished with this release and I am sure other guitarists will also be very pleased with the album. Only two more known bands come to mind when listening to this album, first is the obvious Meshuggah on the heavier side of the music and Cynic on the lighter end of the spectrum. Yet Animals As Leaders still holds it's own and is impossible to simple toss it off as a rip off of what others have done.

In my opinion this is possibly one of the most singular significant releases in the past ten to possibly twenty years for the Metal Industry. Few groups (aside possibly thos already mentioned) can pull off such a unique sound, creativity and the engrossing amount of musicianship. Tosin Abasi has proven himself a master of his art and all we can hope is that Prosthetic Records keep him in the loop, but after hearing this I can't see how any record label could toss him.

Fans of Progressive and/or Technical Metal obviously will enjoy this and is a must own. Fans of Instrumental Metal will also be another obvious fan base as the album has no vocals what so ever. People who enjoy Metal that has a more Eclectic and unique style can also appreciate this as well as the music from beginning to end stands next to none.

All in all I think all fans of the Metal universe need to listen to this at least once.. It is a ground breaking release from a man that is basically unknown in the industry except within small circles few and far between. Pick this up and support an artist that truly has the skills others claim to posses. In my opinion this album just went straight to the top of the list and is the best Metal Album of 2009 to date. Do not overlook this one. Thank you for reading."

Search - Animals As Leaders :: Animals As Leaders

CD Details

Similar CDs

CD Reviews

	Animals As Leaders Animals As Leaders Genres: Pop, Rock, Metal Track Listings (12) - Disc #1 Tempting Time Soraya Thoroughly at Home On Impulse Tessitura Behaving Badly The Price of Everything and the Value of Nothing Cafo Inamorata Point to Point Modern Meat Song of Solomon
3 Larger Image