GRAYCEON

This is definitely on my list for the top of 2007. If only my favorite currently active band didn't release an album this year (FoaBP).

For just a three piece, you get the feeling there is a much bigger band at work here. Even on top of that, there is not too much overdubbing of the sort. The band is made up of Jackie Perez Gratz on electric cello and vocals from the band Giant Squid, Max Doyle on guitars and vocals and finally Zack Farwell on drums. Notice that there is no bassist; the guitar and cello cover for it all too well.

The way to describe the sound is nearly impossible. This band has created many different sounds in such a few amounts of tracks. You can hear influences in this release from bands like Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Indukti and King Crimson to name a few. In terms of the actual music, there is jazz progressions, a bit of classical feel, really chunky guitar riffs, vocal harmonies, finger-picked arpeggios (guitar), post-rock, minimalism, a little bit of folk provided by the cello and just traces of metal done by the guitar.

The drums accompany the music all too well. Zack Farwell was able to give nearly minimalist beats during the quieter moments to implementing great fills and some double-bass adding chaos in the more furious moments.

The album contains just 4 songs. 3 of them feature Grayceon's typical style while the 2nd track called 'Song For You', the shortest track, doesn't implement many moods or change in sound which was fine anyway. It had a great middle-eastern vibe to it that reminded me of Orphaned Land in some of their tracks. Other then that tracks 1, 3, 4 and are fairly long (8:41, 12:35 and 19:57 respectively) that are the some of the most progressive tracks done in this day and age (in my humble opinion).

Nobody has yet to give this piece of work less then 4 stars, showing that this is collectively excellent. If you want some innovative work and musicians that have their mindset on extending the boundaries of post-rock/metal or just music in general, then look no further. Excuse my language, but hurry the hell up for another album in 2008, which I will enthusiastically wait for. An excellent album, 4.5 stars easily.

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