 | Tracklist:
1 d_letion
2 Black Lace
3 Romantique Life
4 Plastik Soul
5 Cinder Tin
6 Gemini Man
7 Sneak Peek
8 Visceral
9 Easy A
10 Annie Enemy
11 Grave Concerns
Release Date: 06/23/2009 | |
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On 1 Lists
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| Summary: The band return with their sophomore album and a sound that is more their own. |
It’s not often, but occasionally a band can get away with totally emulating their influences. In order to get away with it they generally have to be a new band and they have to do the source material justice. Abigail’s Ghost met those requirements on their debut album, Selling Insincerity, by making their Porcupine Tree influence the focal point of their sound and pulling it off nicely. Of course, if they had tried the same thing on their sophomore album they’d be dismissed as a band with a lot of talent but no artistic vision of their own. It turns out that this is a band with talent and a bit of artistic vision too.
The band’s Porcupine Tree influence hasn’t been entirely dismissed, but it’s not simply a blatant use of tones, riffs and ideas anymore. On D_letion they’ve found their own sound by stepping up the energy levels and metal-influence of the heavier songs and emphasizing a strong morose atmosphere that’s carried by clean guitars and subtle keyboards on the mellow tracks. It’s a formula that works really well and helps give the band their own identity. The Porcupine Tree influence that remains is mostly found in the vocals of Bones Theriot, but it doesn’t sound like it’s intentional anymore – it just seems like that’s the most suitable tone for his voice. His voice carries the same mid-range soft tones but is just slightly higher-pitched than Steven Wilson’s. At any rate, it works for the moody style of prog that the band produces. Oddly enough, the band dropped the one element of their previous album that actually set them apart – the industrial influence. Given that they’ve found their own sound without that influence it’s not a big deal, but it would have been nice if they had kept it.
For the most part D_letion is front-loaded with all of the heavier songs such as the title track and “Plastik Soul”, and winds down with the quieter numbers. The title track is easily the heaviest song in the band’s repertoire, progressing through many different riffs and sounds but also manages to maintain a strong hook and memorable vocal melody. “Cinder Tin” marks the beginning of the band’s shift into moodier, darker songs with its clean guitar melodies, spacey synths and rhythmic percussion. Although it’s really going to come down to individual tastes, the band seems to do better with the darker songs and since they make up the majority of the album, that’s not a bad thing. It should be stressed that the darker songs aren’t simply a collection of metal ballads; they’re still prone to distorted outbursts and a bit of energy (mostly in the quality percussion). The difference is that the mellower songs are built to provide a vibe or mood where each part contributes to that mood, whereas the heavier songs are simply built to provide something to rock to.
Abigail’s Ghost’s debut album displayed a band with a lot of potential if only they made the effort to step into their own and this album shows that the effort was made. Granted, there are still moments where a certain sound or piece of a riff will instantly remind of a Porcupine Tree song but those moments are much fewer. Instead, a majority of the album is made up of excellent heavier sections and even better atmospheric songs. In case all of the Porcupine Tree references weren’t enough - this album is definitely something fans of that band could enjoy and unlike the debut it won’t simply frustrate them with all of the blatant copying. For those not into PT, there could still very well be something here worth looking into because the band don’t delve into the lyrical concepts that seem to frustrate some about PT and they’re also not prone to psychedelic meandering. While the band should definitely continue to carve out their own niche, for now this is an excellent release with plenty of great songs.
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Album Rating: 3.5
I wasn't originally going to review this, but it seems like a slow week for releases (and a slow day at work). So, this is a quick write up - cut me some slack.
Check out the title track and "Easy A" if you feel like it.
Edit: I don't know what's on their Myspace page, but the index page of their website has a preview of the entire album that streams. It's probably the best representation of the album.
http://www.abigailsghost.com/index.html
Digging: The Shizit - The Shizit |
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So like a cross between Katatonia and Riverside? Good review. Will check this out when I dont have a headache.
Digging: Nocturnal Fear - Metal of Honor
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Album Rating: 3.5
A little but the riffs aren't as gritty and fuzzy as Katatonia.
Edit: I don't know what's on their Myspace page, but the index page of their website has a preview of the entire album that streams. It's probably the best representation of the album.
http://www.abigailsghost.com/index.html
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His voice carries the same mid-range soft tones but is just slightly higher-pitched that Steven Wilson’s.
uuuh I found a typo in Trey Spencer's review haha. Should be "than" right?
btw, do you think I would like this Willie?
Digging: Crossbreed - KE 101
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You'd be gay if you didnt. Na, kidding. There's another band that reminds me of dark melancholy that needs to be heard. Black Math Horseman. Seriously, nobody commented on the review but me and the writer. It's excellent haunting psychedelic/ambient post-metal/rock.
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Album Rating: 3.5
You are correct. That was a last-second addition when I realized I had only described his vocals for people that had ever heard PT.
I don't know if you'd like this. It depends on your feelings for the bands I reccomended for the review. You could click the link in my first comment and hear the preview.
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well yaah the only band from your rec's that I know of is Riverside. I will check out the link though
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Album Rating: 3.5
Cool. There might be full songs on their Myspace too but I can't check because it's blocked. Let me know what you think (of course).
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to be brutally honest, than the softer parts in the preview just sucked!
But I did find some rather cool riffs and guitarlines so that means I'll probably get this.
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Album Rating: 3.5
Yeah, based on what you liked I wasn't sure if the mellow parts would be your thing.
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Anyone bother checking that band?
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This would be better if it was Abigail Williams.
But anyway, joking aside, would this still be enjoyable to someone who finds Porcupine Tree bland?
Digging: The Ruins Of Beverast - Rain Upon The Impure
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Album Rating: 3.5
@Balls: I checked the review and commented on it. Does that count?
@tricksterG: it's possible because these guys are a little more metal, but they still have that tendacy to really mellow out.
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I'll check it out then, even though the idea of the singer sounding similar to Steven Wilson discourages me.
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Think I might get this..
Digging: PJ Harvey - Dry
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This sounds interesting. Do you think I should get this?
Digging: Katatonia - Night Is The New Day
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I listened to the title track and Cinder Tin on their myspace and I prefer the latter. When they rock out it sounds flat, but the issue may be that the production isn't particularly great.
Digging: Bruce Springsteen - The Rising
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Anyone bother checking that band? well i did because you recommended them to me on last.fm. haha
great review Trey. i MIGHT check this out. small possibility ha
Digging: Drudkh - Microcosmos
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Album Rating: 3.5
This sounds interesting. Do you think I should get this? Yeah, I think this could be something you'd enjoy.I listened to the title track and Cinder Tin on their myspace and I prefer the latter. When they rock out it sounds flat, but the issue may be that the production isn't particularly great. The production isn't great on the Myspace player. The title track sounds muddy on there but on the actual album it sounds a lot more crisp.great review Trey. i MIGHT check this out. small possibility ha ha ha, ok 
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It's pretty good
Digging: Dead Swans - Sleepwalkers
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