LATERALUS

"The Grudge" opens with bass and drums creating a dark atmospheric soundscape right away. This tune really gets better as it plays out. There are lots of great guitar before Maynard's scream, followed with an ominous bass line with scorching guitar melodies over top. The drumming is amazing. "Eon Blue Apocalypse" is really a short guitar exhibition. "The Patient" starts kind of slow, but things kick in about 2 1/2 minutes with guitars and drums, and the vocals sound fantastic. The melody is incredible after 6 minutes. "Mantra" is a short, haunting composition. "Schism" features a powerful melody of drums and guitars, it's quite heavy. The drumming is again awesome, and the vocal line "I know the pieces fit ! " is great ! "Parobal" is a short, slow paced, atmospheric tune that is like an intro to "Parabola". The contrast between the two songs works to perfection. "Parabola" has an absolutely scorching intro and the drums,guitars and vocals are outstanding throughout.

"Ticks & Leeches" opens with more amazing drum work, Maynard is at his best and at times reminds me of Eddie Vedder. Love the way he screams over the crunchy guitars about 6 minutes in. "Lateralus" opens with riffs that are destroying everything in it's path, no survivors ! I really like the contrast between the atmospheric and heavy soundscapes, and both are so good ! This is too good to be true ! "Disposition" gives us time to recuperate after the assault of "Lateralus". This song consists of calm vocals with guitar and percussion. "Reflection" is more uptempo but also more experimental.This is the longest song and drums lead the way.The vocals are sort of dark and deep in this mysterious, haunting track. "Triad" may well be my favourite song on this album. This is an instrumental that opens with drums that build and build until you can't breathe, while the guitar pierces through the pounding drums. This is punishingly heavy as guitar riffs join the drums and bass. The last song is samplings of some guy speaking.

I confess this record blew my socks off ! My three favourite tunes are "Parabola" , "Lateralus" and "Triad" but in truth this whole album is absolutely amazing !

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