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Dioramic - Technicolor CD (album) cover

TECHNICOLOR

Dioramic

 

Tech/Extreme Prog Metal

3.95 | 2 ratings

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Rune2000
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars It's not often that I completely change my opinion of an album but once it occurs the results turn out to be quite exquisite!

I was somewhat impressed by Dioramic after hearing Technicolor for the first time. The album offered a versatile blend of different metal music genres, but ultimately it was this inability to stick with a particular style that made me weary of the record. Still it was fascinating to realize that a power trio formation could make this much noise and the fact that they did it so well definitely added to the experience.

So what was it that finally convinced me that Dioramic wasn't just another one of those modern Tech Metal acts that are all about the chops but ultimately lack passion? Well, it's just that - Dioramic aren't really about the technical chops - what we get here is music based on groove and passion. The opening track titled Ghosts In The Machine is actually one of the least impressive compositions on the album since it basically jumps all over the place in order to show all the spectrums of the band's repertoire. It might seem quite impressive for any newcomer but ultimately gets tiresome on my ears. I usually prefer to start the album with its 8+ minute closing number, titled Debris, and then jump straight to Black Screen Goodbye. Not only does this track rotation turn Technicolor into a much more balanced release but it also adds the 'calm before the storm'-effect that I lack so much in the music industry of today where each new act is desperate to show all that they are capable of on an opening track.

The rest of the album is a highly versatile experience that I actually get a thrill out of! Eluding The Focus is probably the most commercial track of the bunch and sounds almost like a Muse song on steroids - just add some death grunts on top! The weirdest moment comes right towards the middle with a short but highly atmospheric electric guitar blues number titled The Lone Gunman. I would have definitely liked to hear Dioramic develop this side of their music a bit more, but I just might be in a minority here. Lost In Error moves the music back to the familiar grounds of Tech/Extreme Prog Metal and keeps on going all the way to Roses & Echoes. Still, you will probably be quite surprised by all the sounds and sights that Dioramic will guide you through with these tracks.

It did take me some time to overcome my prejudices and truly appreciate Technicolor for what it really was but now I definitely consider Dioramic to be one of this generation's most exciting young talents and it will be interesting to see where they will take their sound in the next couple of years!

***** star songs: Debris (8:31)

**** star songs: Black Screen Goodbye (4:17) The Antagonist (4:36) Eluding The Focus (5:08) Arms Of Poseidon (4:04) The Lone Gunman (1:35) Lost In Error (3:57) Lukewarm Remains (5:34) Doom (4:03) Roses & Echoes (4:54)

*** star songs: Ghosts In The Machine (3:14)

Rune2000 | 4/5 |

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