Review Summary: Between the Buried and Me weren't just clowning around when they put this gem of an album together. Brilliant both musically and structurally, it is a must have for progressive metalheads.
When I first got into Between the Buried and Me, it was like love at first hearing. Their incorporation of several different genres and bountiful supply of talent/musical prowess blew me away and the band have remained a favourite of mine for several years. This album, their follow up to a somewhat impressive yet flawed self-titled, is most definitely an interesting listen. It begins with a trio of songs that show the band's more metallic edge - Lost Perfection is a trip into obscure tempos, blastbeats and technical guitar riffs. Tommy Rogers' vocals are a menacing monstrosity - he is a little difficult to decipher but his growls and screams fit the music nicely. However, the band showcase a lot more than just heavy chugging and thick vocals. Mordecai (the album single) is, by far, one of the greatest achievements of the band thus far. I'd go as far to say that it could even be spoke of as one of the best metalcore/deathcore/prog-whatnot tunes of all time. It begins with an atonal guitar chord and flurry of double bass pedal. But what it delivers in the middle and final parts of the song is nothing short of breath-taking. Every note played is superbly well placed and the accumulative sounds from other instruments fit perfectly.
The one thing that has always separated Between the Buried and Me from their peers is their seamless integration of insanity and beauty. The ending of Mordecai features some wonderfully epic instrumentation - the guitar sweeps are of particular interest. Elements of jazz are amalgamated well with lush arpeggios and soulful playing. Whilst this element of the band is further established in later albums, the focus of The Silent Circus is the band honing the balance between heavy, dark sections of music and the transitions into cleaner arrangements. Ad A Dglgmut and the latter tracks of the album show Between the Buried and Me utilising their abilities to meld such factors together with excellent measurement. The band attain blistering speed, yet they counteract this with slower, more groovy sections too, as well as the aurally pleasing clean parts. One thing that can be said of this album is that everything sounds organic and natural. Aesthetic displays a more precise approach to sounding heavy and technical simultaneously by beginning with short, sharp sweeps and staccato rhythms. Destructo Spin features some great rhythmic guitar riffs, backed with ferocious vocals and solid (yet always shifting) drumming. All in all, the band have an obvious special chemistry between them.
In regards to the band's discography, The Silent Circus, whilst being quite rough around the edges, stands as one of their more fearsome albums. Personally, I'd say that the album highlights are some of the band's best work. Although Alaska and Colors were a lot more progressive (and improved in the realms of production and talent), The Silent Circus is most definitely a great album and one that most fans of heavy music will enjoy.
Recommended Tracks
Mordecai
Ad A Dgdglmut
Aesthetic
