HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

"High Blood Pressure" is an EP release by French alternative metal act Klone. The EP bridges the gap between the band´s first two full-length studio albums "Duplicate (2003)" and "All Seeing Eye (2008)". "High Blood Pressure" was released through Klonosphère in 2004. It´s an enhanced CD featuring six studio tracks, one live track and a live video of "Blessed Are the Blind" from "Duplicate (2003)".

The music on the EP is an experimental form of alternative metal with nods toward acts like Gojira, Alice in Chains, and A Perfect Circle. They play both heavy angular riffing in odd time signatures and more atmospheric and melodic ideas. Lead vocalist Yann Ligner is an incredibly skilled vocalist who delivers both raw shouting vocals (but always retain a melodic sensibility) and more subdued clean vocals. Usually sung with harmonies underneath.

The material are generally varied and well composed. It´s the kind of release where you are always kept on your toes because Klone like to introduce new ideas and sections at just the right moments during the tracks to keep them interesting throughout. There is usually a vers/chorus skeleton applied to the tracks but Klone skillfully enhance the tried and true formula. One of the things that works really well on "High Blood Pressure" are the tasteful samples and keyboards courtesy of Matthieu Metzger. They are actually not heard that often, but when he adds something to the soundscape it matters greatly for the atmosphere of that section of the track. The rest of the band are very well playing too and there is generally a great organic quality to the playing that suits the music well.

The sound production is powerful, clear, and detailed. It has to be mentioned how great it is to hear a bass so clearly in the mix on a metal release even though it doesn´t dominate the soundscape. The songwriting is actually the only thing the band could improve on this release. The EP starts out really strong with "Home" and the more raw "Introspection", but there are a couple of the tracks that follow that don´t stand out as much. It´s nothing too serious and "High Blood Pressure" is still a high quality release, but this was still very early in the band´s career and a few minor compositional issues are to be expected. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved. Great release this one.

(Review originally posted on Metal Music Archives)