DUPLICATE

"Duplicate" is the debut full-length studio album by French alternative/progressive metal act Klone. The album was released through Musicast Distribution in January 2004. Klone formed in 1999 from the ashes of Sowat (some of the members former band who released the 1997 "Korzeam" album) and released both a 2002 and a 2003 demo before being signed for the release of "Duplicate".

Stylistically the material on "Duplicate" is a bit difficult to label right as it features elements from both alternative metal (the grooves and sometimes the attitude and the clean vocal sections), but also harder edged groove/thrash with raw throaty shouting vocals. They are also quite atmospheric and even progressive leaning at times. Klone are often compared to Gojira and while there is certainly some truth to that comparison, Klone are not nearly as technical and their material is generally easier to digest. One of the strength´s of Klone on "Duplicate" is how they manage to balance atmospheric/melodic sections with heavy aggressive sections. In that respect Machine Head could also be brought to the table as an influence.

"Duplicate" features powerful and well sounding production values and although subsequent releases would be even better produced, this is definitely a well produced debut album. So Klone hit the ground running with "Duplicate" and immedately show what they are capable of. They still had to work on the uniqueness of their material, but that would soon come too. As it is, "Duplicate" is still a good quality debut album from Klone and a 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is warranted.

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives).