From Poland comes the progressive metal machine known as Disperse, and their latest effort Living Mirrors surprisingly offers up something a little different than what we normally expect from bands in this genre. Not content to just create their version of the Dream Theater/Symphony X playbook, Disperse instead have put together here richly emotional, even dare I say dramatic, atmospheric progressive rock, and mixed in a healthy dose of crushing heaviness and 'djent' rhythmic patterns not uncommon from what we've come to expect from Meshuggah and all the bands in their wake.
If this sounds like it might be a pretty enjoyable listening experience, well, it is. Hints of Riverside, Anathema, Meshuggah, The Pineapple Thief, and Steven Wilson/Porcupine Tree abound on Living Mirrors, so if you are curious what a combination of all those influences might sound like, it's a safe bet to dive right in. Vocalist/keyboard player Rafał Biernacki has a marvelous voice, richly melodic, often times dreamy, but perfectly complementing these textured songs so wonderfully. The guitar team of Jakub Żytecki & Daniel Kesler can pummel when they want to, but more often than not they are creating lush textures and colors here that add plenty of warmth and power to these songs. Listen to them on the vibrant "Message from Atlantis" to hear all that they bring to the table, and when they want to rock out, as on "Enigma of Abode" the results are earth shattering. Throw in plenty of lush keyboard textures, some sizzling, almost jazzy guitar solos, and some tight rhythms from bassist Wojciech Famielec and drummer Maciej Dzik, and you have the makings for what is ultimately a very classy sounding album. Closing epic "AUM" puts it all together, complete with soaring vocals, crushing riffs, dazzling lead guitar solos, intricate grooves, and plenty of atmosphere.
So much of Living Mirrors is just so accessible, that it's highly possible that fans outside of the progressive metal genre will find much of this album quite appealing. Either way, this is classy stuff from a band that continues to shine in a big way.
Track Listing
1. Dancing with Endless Love
2. Enigma of Abode
3. Profane the Ground
4. Prana
5. Message from Atlantis
6. WOW!
7. Universal Love
8. Be Afraid of Nothing
9. Unbroken Shiver
10.Touching the Golden Cloud
11.Butoh
12.Choices Over Me
13.AUM
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