Expain - Just The Tip
Jazzy Thrash, prog metal… basically bizarre in places… best describes this release. For some parts it reminds me of the instrumental genius of latter Annihilator/Jeff Waters’ material, but this is a much heavier monster and that mainly comes from the rough vocals that would sit somewhere between metalcore and “modern” metal when they go harder. There are cleaner sections, but the harsh vocal is the limiting factor for this release as they are an acquired taste and it’s not one I care to dine with.
Leaving that aside, you have to compliment the musical ideas, it is not uncommon or original as there are a lot of bands doing this, but the way this is captured on the recording provides a warm rewarding experience, it is definitely not a predictable release and it is one that grows with multiple listens. Tracks that are worthy of mention (but not limited too I might add) are ‘The King’ and ‘Idol Worship’. These simply stand out more as they have more musical expression than the other tracks as they are more vocally led. The production is modern, precise but quite clinical. Some parts of the release sound like one of these guitar virtuoso releases; you know those instrumental jazz metal releases. This isn’t so much in that damp hole and the songs do develop as time passes by, its actually grown on me a lot after double figure spins.
All in all, this is musically proficient but I don’t rate it for any more than as is because I don’t think the vocal sits too well with this style as it could do with a touch more emotion rather than pure aggression. But, to their credit, Expain have more ideas than most in terms of creative song arrangements.
Leaving that aside, you have to compliment the musical ideas, it is not uncommon or original as there are a lot of bands doing this, but the way this is captured on the recording provides a warm rewarding experience, it is definitely not a predictable release and it is one that grows with multiple listens. Tracks that are worthy of mention (but not limited too I might add) are ‘The King’ and ‘Idol Worship’. These simply stand out more as they have more musical expression than the other tracks as they are more vocally led. The production is modern, precise but quite clinical. Some parts of the release sound like one of these guitar virtuoso releases; you know those instrumental jazz metal releases. This isn’t so much in that damp hole and the songs do develop as time passes by, its actually grown on me a lot after double figure spins.
All in all, this is musically proficient but I don’t rate it for any more than as is because I don’t think the vocal sits too well with this style as it could do with a touch more emotion rather than pure aggression. But, to their credit, Expain have more ideas than most in terms of creative song arrangements.
- Bacchus
- Aggressions Progression
- Phoenix Writhing
- The King
- Don’t Worry The Worst Is Yet To Come
- Idol Worship
- Allegiance To Pain
- Manatee
- Headbang Your Head Off
- A.T.M.
- Eating A Beating Heart
Self released
Reviewer: twansibon
Jun 21, 2014
Jun 21, 2014
Next review:
Enfeeble – Encapsulate This Moment
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