Progressive metal titans BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME require little introduction. They have successfully sat aloft the higher echelons of the genre for multiple decades, crafting an impressive legacy on their ascent. 2021’s Colours II was regarded as one of their finest works, building high levels of anticipation enroute to the release of their 11th full length effort The Blue Nowhere which is available now via Inside Out Music. What will the talented quartet have in store for us this time?
Things We Tell Ourselves In The Dark throws you into an eccentric, jazzy soundscape packed with shimmering instrumentation, quirky synths and a bewildering level of unpredictability. One minute you’re welcomed by funky bass lines and melodic swathes, the next a sudden burst of frenzied drumming slaps you in the face. God Terror blends harsh industrial accompaniments with intense waves of enticing grooves. The chaos begins to escalate, introducing complex rhythmic twists and turns that will leave your head in a spin. Absent Thereafter is equally as frantic. Wild, energetic transitions flow thick and fast, boisterously bounding through a slew of genre stylings.
Pause introduces a strange, debatably unnecessary piece that glides by with space-like atmospherics and a calming acoustic segment before segueing into the potent blastbeats of Door #3. Crunchy riff patterns littered with hooks take the spotlight. Vibrant colours seep into the track courtesy of frontman Tommy Giles Rogers‘ impressive vocal palate. Mirador Uncoil dishes up an even shorter, weirdly comical interlude alongside a sudden aggressive blast to tee up the unhinged madness of Psychomanteum. Strings of rapid-fire drum beats run riot in tandem with maniacal fret acrobatics. Tempo changes galore keep you on your toes.
Slow Paranoia is equally as erratic, displaying an abundance of energetic heaviness that shifts pace at a moment’s notice. Piano-led theatricality also plays its part in the expansive arrangement. The Blue Nowhere possesses a graceful, ethereal tone. Exhibiting a progressive, developing nature as opposed to all-out carnage. This beautifully crafted offering is the perfect example that BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME don’t need to attack at breakneck speed to showcase their impressive songwriting acumen. Beautifully Human follows suit, providing a calming sensation as swelling synths float around the periphery. Snappy drum work meshes with cleverly layered riff sequences to create an inviting, vibrant closing piece.
The Blue Nowhere is certainly BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME in their most unshackled, inventive state, but it is undetermined whether this is a positive. At times, the sprawling insanity displayed can feel particularly overwhelming, leaving a lack of memorable moments etched into your mind as each track departs. Without an overarching set of thematics to neatly stitch the compositions together, it has a tendency to veer off wildly in each and every direction, leaving more confusion than inspiration in its wake. The talent and prowess of this outfit is undeniable but expect opinions to be considerably divided!
Rating: 6/10
The Blue Nowhere is out now via Inside Out Music.
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The post ALBUM REVIEW: The Blue Nowhere – Between The Buried And Me appeared first on Distorted Sound Magazine.
