BILATERAL

Appreciation of music is a very subjective thing as we all know. Norway's Leprous are regarding as a rising star of progressive metal. I purchased their album Bilateral when it was released in 2011 thinking that as it was on the Inside Out label it would be a quality piece of music. How wrong I was!!!

Over one third of reviewers have give this a five star rating. But how anybody could consider Bilateral to be a masterpiece is beyond my comprehension. Listening to this is a thoroughly unpleasant experience, the aural equivalent of a visit to the dentist. Prog metal would not be my favourite genre but I do like some of it and I have a soft spot for Devin Townsend but I cant find any redeeming qualities in this album. There is a bit of a Townsend influence on some of the tracks but they lack the melody of his compositions.

The musicianship is fine but the some of the tracks are a mishmash of ideas. I hate the vocals especially when they descend into growling/screeching.

The title of track 6 "Waste of Air" sums the album up perfectly, or to borrow a phrase from the late John Peel its "a waste of electricity".

Track 9 is "Acquired Taste", no matter how long I listen to this I can't acquire a taste for it, but if I do then take me out and shoot me please.

One star is being generous.

p.s. I do like the album cover.