Bokor is a new "retro- progressive" metal band from Sweden that is really looking to mix things up a bit in the musical world. Working with a rich sound that combines the best elements of Tool, System Of A Down, Opeth and Anethma this band is probably going to make some waves in the near future. Anomia 1 is very heavy, emotional, trance inducing and melodic with great musicianship recalling that 70's era vibe and sound. Songs like "Best Trip" have this amazing way of getting you to sing along without ever feeling like a sell-out. In fact, this is so harmonically interesting and vocally infectious (great singing throughout the disc) that I can forgive the absence of guitar solos in a few songs. (Not something that I would even normally consider.) Just take a listen to "Convert Into" with its eastern vibe over that serpentine rhythm and you will see how this band is pulling new possibilities out of that "Tool-like" vibe. Also, this particular "cut" does, in fact have a great wah-wah soaked solo that really caps off that song.
In terms of production value it could be said that the sound is dark and depressed without ever coming off as flat and the mix is well separated with sufficient girth to keep the "heavy" factor high. The recording was mastered by none other than Peter In De Betou who has worked with: Katatonia, Dimmu Borgir, and Meshuggah. With those kinds of credits you know he had to believe in this band on some level to even consider working with them. So, keep that in mind if you need further provocation to validate your interest.
If I tell you that there are only 6 songs, you might start to get a sickening feeling that this will become a bore. Not so! I actually felt a little sad when it ended! It seemed to violate my aloneness somehow or other? In closing, the band never seems to repeat itself and the surprises just keep on coming because this is big enough to capture just about every style under the sun effectively. People, this is one hell of a surprise and I implore you to seek this out and give Bokor a listen.
This is the way that new wave of progressive metal should sound!
Track Listing
1. Crawl- The Sermons and Dreams of John Duncan Thunstall
2. Best Trip
3. The Island of ST:Menee (Beach of the Living Dead)
4. Covert Into
5. Migrating
6. Avert Your Eyes
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