Released July 13th 2004 through [url="http://www.fracturedtransmitter.com/"]Fractured Transmitter Records[/url]
[url="http://www.fracturedtransmitter.com/media/Meshuggah-I-Sample.mp3"]4 minute sample[/url]
[url="http://www.lumberjack-online.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LDOS&Product_Co de=14086"]Buy your copy now![/url]
Meshuggah are -
Jens Kidman - Vocals
Fredrik Thordendal - Guitars/Vocals
Marten Hagstrom - Guitars
Tomas Haake - Drums
Dick Lövgren - Bass
[url]www.meshuggah.net[/url]
Meshuggah - I
1. I
Total playing time 20:59
Following on from their success in 2002 with "Nothing" this year see's Meshuggah releasing a one song EP named "I" before releasing a full length album later in the year.
I kicks off with a very distinct drum riff as I like to call it, lots of double kicks and toms on this part, this section repeats for a little too long in my view but its not in a bad way. It then explodes into this HUGE atonal madness that reminds me of a crazier version of "War" from the "Rare Trax" release. Its a pretty fast section.
It then halts and goes straight into familar terrortory, a nice staccato riff with Jens screaming his lungs out on top. No surprises here just normal Meshuggah. One thing I noticed was it seems on this riff they are tuned back to A# as the did pre Nothing. A nice lead accompanies this part.
It then sinks into new lows and here is that 8th string! I was really pleased when I heard this part, Meshuggah have found a better way to use the F tuning, for grooves! It really works well. Very heavy also, the bass is pretty loud in the mix compared to "Nothing" although the bass is very distorted.
The next section is a big chugging section, good drums here, Tomas really shines on this EP, he has alot of varitation in his drum riffs.A fast solo in this section, nothing different, Meshuggah/computer game like solo. This leads very fluidly back into a classic Meshuggah staccato riff.
The song has lots of different sections, at times its very quiet and calm but its amidst chaotic parts. At times it feels like they jsut put a bunch of riffs together and that was that, very disjointed but sometimes it really flows. It builds on the progressiveness that "Nothing" laid the foundations too.
This is the most extreme Meshuggah release, it has some really fast parts and some really slooooow parts. It pushes the boundaries in every aspect. Its as if Meshuggah went "Hey look at all these bands mimicing us, lets show them how its done" and they certainly did. It raises the boundaries in metal, its a new level of extremeties, I wouldn't say this for all of metal but definately for this Industrail thrash movement thats going on.
Overall I feel that this is the best Meshuggah have done so far, every release by them seems to be better and better. Although saying this raises the question "How will the new album compare?" well I have every faith in Meshuggah to pull out something even more special with "Catch 33" They really push the boundaries every times, its a complete assault on your sense, it just slays.
I downloaded teh song, I don't think I've listened to it all teh way through once without stopping. It never really caught my mind when I was listening.
Meshuggah fans have waited since 2002's "Nothing" for a new Meshuggah release. The band has made a name for itself with its aggressive, technically astounding sound for the past 15 years (longer than many of your lives).
"I" is the latest release from the Swedish group. It consists of one song, named for the title track.
The song opens with a harsh, grinding riff that proceeds too fill up the first minute and a half.
It suddenly slams to a stop at 1:32 and hell breaks loose. Jens scream of "I!" lasts the entire onslaught. Again stopping, the first volley of screams begin beneath a riff that has been identified on the Meshuggah boards at more than 200/16 (we are still trying to tab it the entire song).
The vocals actually convery quite a bit of emotion during this section, despite the screams. During this part of the song, its hard to believe that Thomas Haake, the drummer of the band, is actually capable of playing this. His snare hits at a constant 3rd beat, while maintaining the kick drum's time sig. His high-hats keep the steady 4/4. How? He's Swedish.
Fredrik Thordendal's melody takes over at this point. At 3:34, the guitarists' 8 strings dive bomb into a slow, punching riff. At 3:55 Fredriks melody returns, casting a dark cloud over the background.
At 4:40, Jens comes back to ask us, What is true in this anomoly?
4:50 begins a riff that instantly brings to mind a machine or engine. Capturing this in musical form has become Meshuggah's sound.
5:40, out of nowhere, Fredrik bursts into a tapping solo as fast as anything from the Chaosphere days beneath a breakneck rhythm section.
6:21 is one of my favorite changes. The riff drives you into the ground. You can feel yourself pushed back into your chair.
What follows is an impossibly fast riff that puts any other concept of speed metal to shame. Thomas Haake, of course, follows on drums.
7:48, Everything stops to a lone, clean Fredrik Thordendal guitar. The melody seemed to be melodic major, but Fredrik's use of the whammy bar turns the notes sour to keep you on your toes for...
8:39 A stop punch riff that guides us towards a build up. The snare work here is very very cool but efficient. The riff continues a bit longer than necessary, but Fredriks overdrop of melody makes it livable.
Vocals return...
10:33 Guitars volley into...a 16/16 riff? This is a punishing riff that is instantly head bangable and makes me want to air guitar.
Also has some of my favorite lyrics:
"Sacrilege in persona
In truth, fundamentally twisted
A witness to this savage carnage,
A frenzy of animosity"
At the vocals end, with the line, "The worship of the sick and degenerate will spread", the riff goes on but Fredrik starts a masterful melody that is a musical orgasm unto itself. You instantly visualize the Armageddon the song appears to be speaking of. A highlight of the song.
At 11:50, the guitars slam out and ring, then come back into a new voice. The lyrics are not available in the booklet, but the voice appears to say, "The nihilist, not the lunatic" at first.
12:38 marks the beginning of Fredriks second solo. It hasnt grown on me yet, but is very disturbing.
13:13 is one of the most interesting riffs, I cant imagine how hard it must have been for the band to perfect, let alone keep track of. The riff bounces up and down the range the 8 strings have to offer.
14:08, the guitars ring out but slam every few seconds to ring again. Ambient noises last until a clean guitar comes in playing a very regular chord shape. Guitar overlays weave in and out, again this brings to mind images of destruction and aftermath. Fallout.
15:54, Meshuggah does a very unMeshuggah like thing and fades in slowly with the distorted guitars. The solo guitar becomes more prominent, something is about to happen... :eek:
Build up build up build up.
16:55 Is the most dark and "oppresive" sounding riffs the band has ever put out. This is the soundtrack to a swarm of locusts.
Vocals come in over this backdrop.
18:20, The clencher.
"Progress, finally...!
Here only to reverse the flow of life,
I!
When he gutterally screams I, the world ends. It echo's into ambience. One of the best moments in the entire CD.
A slow, punishing riff kicks off in perfect time. This riff is very cool and is the first on Ive learned from the song. This riff repeats over and over as it seems to want to fade out, only to slam back in to being. At 20:13, the guitars hit for the last time.
Dissonant feedback from multiple guitars begins to ring and grow in strength.
End game.
I had high expetations, and they were blown away. Ive not been so inspired musically after hearing a new peice of music in years. I think it would take a new Rage Against the Machine CD to top this high. Ive gained new respect for Meshuggah something I didnt know was possible.
Im only left with an odd feeling of fear that there is no way to top this song in terms of heaviness, technique, and creativity. What else is there left to do after this?
EDIT: For everyone who read this far, This is a cut/paste sample of the song Meshuggah released for Radio play. Its about 3:33 seconds It starts off with the first vocals.
I didn't even think about picking this up. But after hearing that it's a throwback to the Pre-Nothing days and reading this review, I think I'll look for it when I go CD shopping tomorrow.
[QUOTE=BuddyBigsby]I didn't even think about picking this up. But after hearing that it's a throwback to the Pre-Nothing days and reading this review, I think I'll look for it when I go CD shopping tomorrow.[/QUOTE]
Sadly, I doubt you'll find it. Its in the early stages of release, but its readily available online. (mine was from relapse.com)
