Three albums down the line and this band just get better and better and that's no easy task when you bare in mind their previous efforts. Despite the anticipation, Arc'tan'gent has exceeded all my expectations and made me re-evaluate what a great band should really sound like. This is the most intelligent, progressive, awe inspiring (and any other adjectives you'd care to throw in) metal album of the year. Earthtone 9 are the torch bearers for British bands and prove that in a scene dominated by American bands, dictated by trends and fashion - there is still hope.
This is a band that have earned their dues the hard way, building up a solid fan base through touring and in some ways fighting against the tide of fashionable American bands. Yup, there is an alternative folks and if they happen to produce an album that makes Maynard James Keenan look decidedly average, then so be it.
What is immediately apparent with this album is its gorgeous production. Not since Deftones, "Around The Fur" has an album been sounded so fresh and sonically pleasing, whereby every cymbal, crash and breath can be heard in such high definition.
First track "Tat Twam Asi" kicks things off and in typical Earthtone 9 fashion you are put through every extreme known to man - It's intense, melodic, and delicate, all in the space of three and a bit minutes whilst some bands don't offer that much emotion across three albums. "Evil Crawling I" will put hairs on your chest as singer Karl roars like a choir of Grady Avenell's (Will Haven). Yet, equally the song will send shivers down your spine as Karl bellows to a symphony of drums and other goings on.
As I've said numerous times, the beauty of this band is its diversity. "Approx.Purified" is a slab of hardcore metal that wouldn't go a miss in a noise core bands set. Compare this too the subtleties of "Walking Day" and it's obvious to see that the band could share a stage with anyone from Candiria to U2. Musically "Walking Day" reminds me of A Perfect Circle, only better. The sounds wash into each other seamlessly and the song builds up in structure managing to create and enchanting atmosphere. "Star Damage For Beginners" is perhaps the strongest song on the album as it single handedly delivers a blow to nu metal with their own genre defining sound. Karl's vocals are like stabs in the back one moment, and the next it's a reassuring pat on the back.
The album is rounded off in fine fashion as the band prove that the deftones are not the only band pushing the boundaries of heavy music. "Binary 101" is almost like a number of songs entwined as the band gel various riffs and melodies together to create an awe inspiring song and leave you speechless. This is a very special album, perhaps only one of its kind comes around ever so often. Savor it.
(5 / 5)
