AqME's debut album, University of Nowhere, is definitely an accomplishment that would justify the band to be proud of themselves. AqME has proved, at least to me, to be one of the most prominent names in music to ever come out from France, side by side with the well-known Mass Hysteria and Out. Yet they're not the most original thing you'll ever hear, but their sound is so well done and badass that is very hard to come up with anything negative about them. Well, allow me to guide you through the trip that is AqME....
The band shows, as you have probably imagined, the typical new metal sound, yet the thing is so heavy its not even funny! (Ok, not to be compared with Chimaira or Slipknot. Cheater!) The French lyrics can somewhat be annoying to those of you that are not used to listening to a song and not being able to understand all the lyrics (not my case), but my guess is that it wouldn't bother much. Toma's vocals are talented, yet need some practicing on the melodic parts. His screams are something unreal, and that's definitely a plus for the band. Notice I said "screams". Don't expect those horrible death metal growls, because you won't find that here. Norway is the place to go if you like that stuff, cause there are so many death metal bands there that they probably communicate with each other through growls. Anyway....At times, though, Toma tries to much to come up with some kind of "depressive" voice, like for example on "A Jamais". Guitarist Ben uses massive distortion. His guitar on most of the songs' choruses are unbelievably heavy, and it's hard to imagine how AqME has only one guitarist, being their guitarwork is that heavy. Sofy's bass and E.T.N.'s drums provide the necessary background to the band's heavy sound. Neither of the two have their times to be bright and show something more to the listener, yet they do back up the band in the best way they can. The group sounds too professional, something that I didn't expect, and was glad to notice when I heard the album, which by the way has astonishing production for an indie release. Another nice note I should state for the CD is, it weighs in with 3 special guests, those being Kemar, Bill and Franklyn, respectively from the bands Pleymo, Enhancer and Noisy Fate, those all being underground bands from AqME's country. Those 3 bands, plus a band called Wunjo, and of course, AqME, claim to form a team named Nowhere. Song T.N., from the album, actually stands for Team Nowhere, (No, I don't understand French. It was written in their press kit, that's ALSO in French, but I somehow could understand parts. Do I understand French then? Aaah, whatever...), which is actually the standout track, and of course, my favorite off the album. The only track that the band does sing in English, Words, does not standout that much. A track that does standout though is Beaute Veneneuse, which is extremely different when compared to the rest of the CD. A bit of a sad mood is created, yet with not very impressive vocals.
As if it wasn't enough, another plus for AqME goes for their versatility. At times, the band can sound like a less repetitive Coal Chamber, and at others, a (hed)p.e. with less hip-hop and more aggressiveness / heaviness. If it wasn't for the band's native language, which is French (I said it a few lines above, moron!), and the unprepared melodic voice of Toma, the band would be ready to take the world on and put it in their pockets. Unfortunately, those downsides are something considerable to the industry (Well, at least the first downside is. There're so many bands with horrible singers now a days with a record deal.), and can stop them before they get started. Overall, though, the band and it's CD are both a welcome surprise not only to me, but to the whole indie scene, and once again proves that good music does NOT only come from the United States. Bands like AqME should appear more often in the scene. It's always a pleasure to listen to bands as talented and as good as they are.
(4 / 5)
