SWARMLIFE

TURN THE LIGHT OFF AND LISTEN ... after a seven year gap this band from Oslo, Norway is offering a new creative statement that covers some really outstanding heavy prog tracks, yet also including slight leanings to the alternative rock genre. Erik Halbakken (guitar) and drummer Espen Granseth are the constants acting from the very start on. Since 2015 then in collaboration with Alex Delver, who is capable of contributing very expressive lead vocals. Finally, of course I should also note Magnus Andersen completing the quartet. He's managing the bass guitar work while acting on the same premium musicianship level. Keyboards respectively synths are not credited somewhere, but available anyhow, surely taking a backseat though.

So what, the goal is to let it rip in any case. But hey, this entirely comes within (my) reasonable limits, and with proper psychedelic ambience on top of it. And so Techtree is dedicated to prepare the floor, marks the suitable warm up due to a rather hypnotic repetitve flow. The heavier loaded Urras follows, though serving a formidable switch to a jazzy expression in between on several occasions. Next track Out Of Labour then comes with a strong jamming approach I'd say. Great inspiration! Initiating as well as finalizing in a sensitive, melancholic manner Collapsist is climbing up to perfect harmony regarding instruments and vocals. This is all merging into the ultimate highlight Third Body, the album's masterpiece, just to note.

Although including some harsh vocal way of expressing a flawlessly arranged sing along case in a special instance. The Master's House finally is relaxing the whole show a bit again, they are shutting down the machines so to say. Brillant, gripping, virtuoso, adventurous, highly melodic, within this genre boundaries it really doesn't get any better than that. And now superlatives are nearly running out ... 'Swarmlife' marks an irresistible performance featuring some references to the likes of Wolverine, Portal, Tool, PreHistoric Animals, and similiar. Please take your time (approximately one hour), don't forget to follow the initial instruction, and give it a chance in one go ...

It's pretty much a given that when any particular band or artist figures out a new way to present any particular art form and has a modicum of success then a legion of others will follow in the wake to capitalize on the originality and groundbreaking efforts. Tool is one of the most recognized names of 90s alternative rock / metal meets progressive rock and rightfully so for having generated a totally new hybrid and releasing brilliant albums such as "Ænima" and "Lateralus." While this has opened the floodgates for all kinds of post-metal and progressive alt metal, there are some artists that are just too similar for comfort.

Enter DELVOID, a Norwegian from the Oslo area that was founded by guitarist Erik Halbakken and drummer Espen th. Granseth. Formed in 2008 the band hasn't exactly been productive and has only released this third album SWARMLIFE in 2022. This album features six tracks and is only about a half minute shy of an hour's worth of material. This band is a quartet with two guitars, bass, drums and vocals handled by guitarist Alex Delver. The band is known for its energetic live shows which has gotten it some notoriety in the crowded section of the alternative prog metal circuit.

Basically you could sum up DELVOID's sound as a mix of Tool (post-metal cyclical grooves and general alternative metal stylistic approach), Porcupine Tree (atmospheres and stellar production tricks which bring life to the smallest of tones and timbres) and Leprous (vocal style, oscillating guitar tricks and dramatic presentation). Add a bit of post-rock psychedelia and you basically get the formula for DELVOID's post-metal sound. With every track well over seven minutes the musical flow on SWARMLIFE allows long meandering bass grooves to drift on with changes in musical motifs offering dramatic Soundgarden-ish breakdowns.

The music does offer an interesting array of the aforementioned influences however i can never get past the fact that this is a band of influences and to my ears these elements don't gel together convincingly enough to win me over. In comparison to Tool which utilized a virtuosic drumming menagerie, DELVOID relies on a lazier sludge metal style of drumming with only occasional more energetic drumming that when it does occur sounds exactly like Tool. In comparison to Porcupine Tree, the production is golden but the compositions themselves lack the proper hooks for these extended sound effects to fully carry through. In comparison to Leprous, Delver's vocal abilities aren't as accomplished or as pleasing as they are too gritty to capture the sensual navigation possibilities of excellent prog metal and too clean and silky smooth for a convincing alt metal performance.

To be fair although i'm a huge Porcupine Tree and Leprous fan with a healthy admiration for much of Tool's output, i've never been keen on bands that emulate these excellent bands. For whatever reason the results always fall short and end up sounding like a cheap imitation rather than something that has been inspired by and taken to the next level. DELVOID's latest SWARMLIFE is just too earnest and derivative for my sensitive ears. I'm sure many will love this but just like similar bands like OS or Soen, DELVOID sounds too close to the source despite some noble efforts. Pretty much a personal block with this style of Tool inspired prog alt metal but this is all too much on the worship the past heroes mode for my true liking. Decently done, just not enjoyable in my world.