Junius are not a conventional hard rock/metal band. Their first album, 2009's The Martyrdom of a Catastrophist, took three years to write. That album was inspired by theorist Immanuel Velikovsky, a fact that suggested Junius were not a run of the mill metal act that could be found on an Ozzfest lineup. Their sophomore effort, Reports from the Threshold of Death, retains that same gung-ho ambition as a concept album exploring a soul's journey after death. It's a heavy theme, for sure, but Junius tackles it with surprising optimism.
Threshold is supposedly inspired by stories of near death experiences. Many of the songs do focus on light, judgement, floating, and ascension. Nothing is really dark. Junius' brightened demeanor could also explain why they chose to record this album at Will Benoit's Radar Studios, powered entirely by solar energy. This album wouldn't exist without the presence of light.
Without knowing the background of the band, I would almost guess that they're in the Christian rock genre. Much of the album's songs seem based on Christian theology. The music is never too aggressive, and singer Joseph Martinez chooses melody over gruff vocals. Everything feels empowered with a sense that a better life lies beyond our mortal existence.
However, there isn't anything deep or emotionally connective to the music or the lyrics. The band chooses a firm belief in an afterlife rather than questioning if one exists. Injecting some moments of doubt could have upped the impact of the band's choice to believe. It severely limits the album's concept and the different directions where the music can go. Junius' crunching guitars and moody synthesizers suggest otherwise, but the lyrical content reduces them to emo band fare that shoppers of Hot Topic will enjoy.
Listeners covered in black mascara and nail polish may use it as the soundtrack to their candlelit brooding, but diehard metal fans likely won't be impressed.
Article comments
1 - Shaleem Hosein
I saw them a few weeks ago, one of openers for Enslaved. They were excellent. I can't wait for this to arrive in the mail.
2 - openminded
seeing these guys with enslaved was awesome! i know from talking to enslaved that they were really amped on having junius on the tour. i am finding that a lot of the bands i personally enjoy stretch the boundaries of metal. including enslaved - really progressive! i cant stand "die hard" metal fans - they dont like change. with this said, is the "hot topic" comment really necessary? a perfectly fine review until you start taking petty "nail polish" jabs at these dudes. leave your hangups out of your reviews please...