THE HUMAN CONNECTION

Tech metal and I don't have a good track history. Among other encounters, I wasn't a fan of Enslaved last year, and Persefone's latest felt like a waste of time for me. Yet, there's something about Chaos Divine that I really like. I can't place my finger on it: Well, maybe I can...

There is one major difference between this band and other tech metal bands: melody. That's right, Chaos Divine puts a lot of effort into great atmospheres and also amazing keyboards, too. The keys always permeate the thick metallic style of the band, and create textures that are simply outstanding. On top of this, the clean vocalist has a great voice that harmonizes with the music very well.

This album also features a harsh vocalist, but I actually don't mind him at all. Usually, harsh vocals are a big no-no for me, but this guy sounds much like one of the vocalists from alternative metal band Mushroomhead, a favorite from my unwise youth. However, these harsh vocals are used rather appropriately, and they have a tinge of nostalgia for me.

The metal music is done very tastefully, as well. The drumming isn't overbearing, though it is done with great skill. The guitarist is rather talented as he utilizes a lot of strong riffing and also ambient guitar styles to achieve a powerful presence, unlike many other tech metal bands where the guitar ends up being nothing but white noise.

All of these components form a melodic, powerful experience that shows restraint appropriately, and isn't afraid to explore slower styles, either. I think my favorite tracks are "The Beaten Path", "Beautiful Abyss", "Silence", and the epic of sorts, "No Road Home". When hearing these tracks, you might not even realize they are considered tech metal, and that's just fine with me.