Vazimba - Vazimba
Vazimba is a bit of a tribute album in some ways. Extremely epic, it is a full on instrumental piece of four tracks clocking over forty minutes for a mix of sci-fi Prog and jazzy Technical Metal that is rather soothing or at other times oddly random. The entire concept of the album revolves around the 'lost' tribe of Vazimba, supposedly the first inhabitants of Madagascar. Like the history that surrounds the people, the music of Vazimba is a lush collection of fusion jazz elements and electronic subtleties with bits of tribal influences. It is like Dream Theater, Sepultura, and Kkoagulaa got together and decided to create a huge experimental album. There are heavy and melodic sections of "Efatra," the opening track, that are highly energetic and Metal oriented, sometimes to the point of being dangerously psychotic with the chugging guitars, and suddenly everything will get quiet save for the feedback of distortion, a wavering synth, or the sound of what seems like dripping water combined with sci-fi keyboards. Other tracks like "Roa" are less focused on the jazzy Prog Metal sections and just repeat the same few harsh riffs over and over. Parts like these can be a bit boring, even when the keyboards are added in as background noise. It is only until later in the song where suddenly everything seems a bit more lively and jazz oriented on the keyboard front while remaining heavy (thanks to the drums) that fans might get interested again.
"Telo" has more of the electronic influences embedded in the music, but this also makes it a more random sounding track, leading farther away from the Metal elements, and when they are introduced the slow, cohesive chugging feels more like Doom Metal than Prog. The last track "Isa" includes saxophone making it the 'jazz' highlight of the album, but sheds away a bit of the tribal influences with the drums and guitar structure such as heard on "Efatra." Overall the track holds a more symphonic quality that makes it much more epic than the other tracks. Maybe this is because the keyboard is present throughout the entire track, or maybe it is because all the transitions come about smoothly from the chugging guitars to the softer, more laid back moments. Other times the changes seem too quick, meant to startle listeners or make them unprepared for what is to come next rather than have them fall into complacency. And this is a decent touch.
Lots of instrumental albums can be predictable, but 'Vazimba' is far from it. The only downside is while this epic is wildly entertaining, it might carry on for too long. If the band had broken it up more into maybe ten tracks, it would be easier to digest and skip around to sections that suit different fans to their tastes. As a result, everyone has to grind through the album as a whole to get the full effect, rather than fast forward through parts that go on too long (there is no fun in that), but they shouldn't be disappointed by the high range of fusion these guys have to offer. Some areas might be too slow or 'out there,' but upon first listen one can never be sure what to expect at all.
"Telo" has more of the electronic influences embedded in the music, but this also makes it a more random sounding track, leading farther away from the Metal elements, and when they are introduced the slow, cohesive chugging feels more like Doom Metal than Prog. The last track "Isa" includes saxophone making it the 'jazz' highlight of the album, but sheds away a bit of the tribal influences with the drums and guitar structure such as heard on "Efatra." Overall the track holds a more symphonic quality that makes it much more epic than the other tracks. Maybe this is because the keyboard is present throughout the entire track, or maybe it is because all the transitions come about smoothly from the chugging guitars to the softer, more laid back moments. Other times the changes seem too quick, meant to startle listeners or make them unprepared for what is to come next rather than have them fall into complacency. And this is a decent touch.
Lots of instrumental albums can be predictable, but 'Vazimba' is far from it. The only downside is while this epic is wildly entertaining, it might carry on for too long. If the band had broken it up more into maybe ten tracks, it would be easier to digest and skip around to sections that suit different fans to their tastes. As a result, everyone has to grind through the album as a whole to get the full effect, rather than fast forward through parts that go on too long (there is no fun in that), but they shouldn't be disappointed by the high range of fusion these guys have to offer. Some areas might be too slow or 'out there,' but upon first listen one can never be sure what to expect at all.
- Efatra
- Roa
- Telo
- Isa
Self released
Reviewer: Colin McNamara
Nov 9, 2011
Nov 9, 2011
Next review:
Tombs - Path Of Totality
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