“Nocturne” is the debut release from Los Angeles' THE HUMAN ABSTRACT available via Hopeless Records. Upon my first listen to the opening track “Harbringer”, I was pretty floored at the overall sound and musical experience. “This is different, definitely fresh and original”, I thought, then I listened to the rest of the album.
THE HUMAN ABSTRACT fuses together progressive metal, acoustic gutiar melodies, a spinkle of death metal, with a light touch of hardcore. The sound itself is different which had me excited to hear it. However, THE HUMAN ABSTRACT uses way too many guitar arpeggios which gives the term “repetitive” an entirely new meaning. Honestly, there are riffs but the arpeggios overtake the entire album. Yes, they are cool to have but not like this. On top of that, the lead singer left much to be desired. The growls and screams were decent at best, and I do not think that he can really actually sing anything; at least well that is. I also had a problem with the transitions. Although they are well-timed, they also seemed repetitive and misplaced in each track, not to mention most of them signified yet another arpeggio run.
I would have to say that a majority of the album will irritate even the most patient of metalheads. I personally am to the point where I cannot digest all of this in one sitting. “Nocturne” might be the most exhausting album I've listened to in quite a while. That being said two tracks really stuck out and I would say are my 'favorites': “Harbringer” and “Crossing the Rubicon”. However, the entire output is subpar at best, and I am hoping they are much better live as I'm seeing them in a few weeks with God Forbid, Arsis, Mnemic, and Goatwhore. All in all, if I were you, I would check out the mp3's prior to purchasing “Nocturne”. Buyer beware.
note: 2.8
Tracklist
Harbinger
Self Portraits Of The Instincts
Nocturne
Crossing The Rubicon
Sotto Voce
Mea Culpa
Channel Detritus
Movement From Discord
Polaris
Echelons To Molotovs
Desiderata
Vela, Together We Await The Storm
Line-up
Nathan: Vocals
Brett: Drums
Kenny: Bass
Dean: Guitar
AJ: Guitar
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