For a minute there, I almost thought I might have been listening to the new Between the Buried and Me. Nope, it's the latest from The Human Abstract, called Digital Veil. This is the bands third release, and they've had a few line-up changes since the rather disappointing Midheaven in 2008, namely the return of original guitarist A.J. Minette and the arrival of new vocalist Travis Richter, who has replaced Nathan Ells.
Richter's use of death metal growls, hardcore barks, and soaring clean vocals instantly reminded me of BtBaM's lead singer Tommy Rogers, and the added technicality in the guitar department, which was somewhat missing on Midheaven, also gives much of the music here on Digital Veil a flavor that we usually find in the music of the North Carolina greats. Comparisons aside, Digitial Veil works well on its own as a very solid Human Abstract album. It's quite brutal in spots, very melodic, technical, progressive, and accessible. Much of the poppy, almost 'emo' trappings of the previous album have vanished, in favor of a crushing, technical, heavy extreme metal style, which was all the rage on the bands debut Nocturne. If you dig BtBaM or Protest the Hero, you've come to the right place. Tunes such as "Complex Terms", the title track, and the single "Faust" just bristle with blazing, intricate guitar riffs & fills, and Richter is all over the place with his varied vocal attack. "Antebellum" is a gorgeous prog rock number, complete with strong melodic vocals, stunning acoustic guitar work, and dreamy keyboard washes, as well as passages of brutal metallic fury. "Horizon to Zeneth" is tasty progressive metal all the way, chock full of zig-zagging guitar lines and complex rhythms, and The Human Abstract's pop leanings come out on the melodic rocker "Patterns".
It's pretty safe to say that Digital Veil is a return to form for The Human Abstract. Those who like their progressive metal mixed with technical extreme metal should have a blast with this one.
Track Listing
1."Elegiac" – 2:11
2."Complex Terms" – 5:10
3."Digital Veil" – 3:30
4."Faust" – 5:56
5."Antebellum" – 7:29
6."Holographic Sight" – 4:28
7."Horizon to Zenith" – 4:19
8."Patterns" – 3:43
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