UNEVEN STRUCTURE

I don't know why this particular dead end of a style is so crowded, but I guess it's because of its "cool factor". Djent sounds cool, no doubt about it. I remember myself setting my jaw after it dropped on my first listen of CATCH 33. Let's be honest though, the style created by Meshuggah is very limited and it won't evolve any further.

That's why there are bands that combine djent with more accessible sub-genres of metal, ambient or other non-metal genres... but some of them don't combine it with anything. Uneven Structure was one of those bands when they recorded 8. In short, their EP sounds like a stepped-up CATCH 33. It features the same brooding atmosphere, themes and sound production and the only thing these two bands don't have in common is the quality of being brilliant. Don't get me wrong, 8 is a well executed and well recorded album. It sounds more like a mindless tribute than an independent work of art, though. And by "mindless" I mean painfully repetitive and devoid of any innovative elements.

The biggest advantage of 8 is that it's not mathcore, a genre that some people consider intolerable (who could that be?). Still, it's neither catchy nor innovative so if you look for something that sounds like a bunch of bonus tracks from CATCH 33, then go ahead and get it.

TRACKS BY RATINGS: 5/10[not bad]: Dianoia; To a Higher Quiddity; 8 || 4/10[passable]: Egocentric Focus; Capillarity; Confused Waveforms; Depression || OVERALL = 39/100

(Originally written for Metal Music Archives [www.metalmusicarchives.com])

The first disc plays host to the heavier side of the release. The overall style is rooted in djent, but to say that Uneven Structure are just another Meshuggah clone could not be further from the truth. The palm-muted riffs merely provide a foundation for some incredibly ethereal soundscapes. The overall style is as ambient as it is technical. Just look at the cover art, hints of colour set amongst a mysterious blackened backdrop. It does exactly what it says on the tin.

The second disc is purely instrumental and features three beautiful pieces of minimalistic post-metal. Their overall effect is largely calming, and yet there is something else, a hidden layer, an uncertain edge, something, at times almost sinister. It's hard to put into words this perceptional contradiction, although a friend of mine once likened the mood to "falling asleep, but with nightmares ahead", and I find this description to be quite fitting.

Musically speaking, Februus is based around the evolution of repetitive themes through a menagerie of subtle variations. As such, I would recommend experiencing this album through a good pair of headphones to really do it justice. I've tried using speakers, and whilst the (practically non-existent) bass levels are certainly emphasised, the lighter nuances often get lost which can give a misleading impression of monotony.

The Verdict: Not flawless, but still, absolutely stunning.

"8" can be regarded as a promising debut from a band that has chosen to follow an already established musical path. In my opinion, it will be the degree of experimentation that will (or will not) make them distinct in this style. Although not highly impressed, this EP will probably work well for fans of Meshuggah and related bands and can be downloaded for free from the band's website.