CHAOSPHERE

As one of the major contenders in the tech scene, Meshuggah have gathered attention from all kind of fans - metal and otherwise. This, their third major release is often considered their best and most frantic - and while it's best to leave it up to the fans and fanboys of the band to decide which album is the best, it's not difficult at all to say that it is a very impressive release filled with the most insane time signatures, chaotic riffs and technical playing that you will ever hear. This leaves it somewhat unattractive to those who prefer melody over technical ability, but for the most part, if you're a big fan of melody then you'll be avoiding this subgenre all together.

Meshuggah is not at all progressive in the traditional sense. Although the band have, by now, released their share of 'progressive metal super epics' as have many in the scene, back in the days of Chaosphere they could best be described as progressive simply in their playing technique and signature changes. For people who are not well versed in the actual technical aspects of music, though, it can be hard to stomach at any given point. The album opens with the intense ferocity of Concentration and never once backs down, unleashing a barrage of metal fury upon the listener. For those uninitiated in the genre the rest of the album becomes something of a blur as all the songs start to sound the same - industrial metal being pumped out at loud volumes. Such is really not the case, as there are some songs that do stand out among the rest to be glistening spots of salvation for those having a tough time staying afloat in the torrential sea of metal. Corridor Of Chameleons is one such example, and probably the best song on the album.

When it does all finally come to an end with the somewhat misleading Elastic (15-minute long track, which is actually about 5-minutes of song and 10-minutes of an ever-heightening-in-pitch pulse of noise) some will consider themselves lucky to be alive and some may have to leave the room to have a cigarette - it all depends on who you are. What can easily be said about the band, and about the album is that it certainly is not for everybody. However, if you do fancy yourself to have a thick enough stomach lining to survive an hour of the most unfiltered metal that you've ever heard then head out to the store and buy this album immediately. This album is very good, there's no denying that, but it really is not for everyone. Ultimately a 3 out of 5 - recommended for those who are well on their way through the tech subgenre. Not for beginners.

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