You will be hard-pressed to find a band that brings to mind artists such as The Beatles, Radiohead, King Crimson and Sepultura as you listen to their record.
The transitions, the textures, the almost exhausting task of following the notes in each song makes you wonder what kind of band can bring to life such a recording. Raleigh, N.C.-based Between the Buried and Me (BTBAM) are such a band and they present their latest exploration, Colors (Victory Records).
Produced once again by Jamie King (The Human Abstract, Beloved, Through the Eyes of the Dead) BTBAM bring even more complexity and mood from its last release Alaska.
“Foam Born: (a) The Backtrack” begins with a lovely but somber piano intro and immediately makes the descent into their chaotic juxtaposition of keyboard-laced melodies and off-time guitars. It serves as an appropriate introduction the rest of the 62 minutes of unrelenting yet very in tuned grind/prog-metal.
“(b) The Decade of Statues” properly begins the assault of the senses. The now recognizable wall of thunderous sound that BTBAM is known for is still in tact. The grind/death metal combos still sound as fierce as anything else in their catalog. The technical and broad guitar work by Paul Waggoner and Dusty Waring leave you speechless.
“Informal Gluttony” has drummer Blake Richardson starting out with a tribal-esque tempo ala Sepultura. BTBAM then graces listeners' ears with Middle Eastern-inspired guitar arrangements and vocalist Tommy Rogers transitions from the guttural to the serene with great fluidity. I definitely hear more of the Paul McCartney/Thom Yorke influences in his vocals. That in itself separates him from the now generic sing/scream combos that many metal and hard-core bands are doing nowadays.
Clocking in at 10:58, “Sun of Nothing” continues to extend the savagery with flawless execution. BTBAM add enough atmospheric brushes throughout the song to create much more depth. A quirky piano break reminiscent of Mr. Bungle is added for good measure. The song continues as a beautiful excursion into the land of Pink Floyd and culminates at the end into an almost gritty but frantic climb down of riffs and turmoil.
Article comments
1 - Chris Beaumont
I'll have to check into these guys. Saw them open up fro Dragonforce awhile back. I was intrigued by what I heard, couldn't say I loved it. But am interested....
2 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
In regards to your opening statement I think you'll find that Opeth pretty much opened those doors quite sometime ago, though, BTBAM is the best thing Victory Records has going for them. These guys still try to keep true to their hardcore roots & push the envelop while encapsulating a ton of other influences (As you can see if you pick up their cover album)
A kick ass band that's worth every red cent! 've been dropping their name around here for awhile. Alaska was a definite CD to own. This new one is sounding pretty damn good!
*BTW* Nice Review....
3 - AJ
my god between the buried and me is fucking amazing,and "Colors" only prooves it,buy it or die
4 - Connie Phillips
Congrats! This article has been forwarded to the Advance.net websites and Boston.com.
5 - Catalyst
Just picked up the album (I've been listening to what they had posted of it off and on for the past week)....and I am speechless, yet again! I don't think these guys get the credit they deserve for their musicality. They are absolutely amazing musicians....I am finding fewer in the "hardcore" scene as time goes on. Keep rocking guys!
6 - paradigm
i love bands like tool, opeth, king crimson, mars volta...
this band is right there with them. i've been a die hard tool fan for years but this band is so incredibly cloxse to taking their spot at the zenith of my choices...
this album is in my opinion their best to date which is huge statement. definitely buy this album, yo uwon't find more fluid complexity anywhere else.
7 - ashew
certainly masters at their trades. Perfect, no. But damn close.
8 - Ryan G.
I hope that this band stays the same, but gains more and more notice their insanely awesome guitars and stuff.
9 - Baz
I love you
10 - rojas
thanks! i love you too. :)
11 - panasonicyouth
Simply amazing. One of the best bands of our time hands down.
12 - circu2112
This will blow your mind and shatter your senses on what you thought good music was all about... this is one of the best albums to date...even the covers album is amazing...but this CD is a true masterpiece. I am not a musician, but if i were i would want to be iconic like these guys are. *****10/10 stars*****