DIGITAL VEIL

I'm re-writing this review, almost a year later, because I now think this album truly deserves a 5 star rating. This is tech metal at it's peak, a perfect balance of melody, technicality and brutality. Travis Richter really soars over the vocal lines, which make this album one of the best ever melodically, all crafted by musical genius AJ Minette

1. Elegiac

Perfectly sums up what The Human Abstract wants to be. A mix of classical and metal done on four (I think?) guitars. The double acoustic guitar returns in other parts of the album, and really does work fantastically well as a contrast to the harsh sections. A truly epic intro 9/10

2. Complex Terms

Excellent guitar, excellent rhythm, slightly ruined by the excessive growled vocals, but that picks up in the almost entirely clean second half. One of the best chorus melodies on the album in this one, and a lovely 2-bar piano bit which really shows that these guys are more than most metalcore bands. 8/10

3. Digital Veil

Worst song on the album by centuries. No melody at all. And while I can respect the technicality in the guitar, this sort of thing can be expected from basically any tech metalcore band out there, and isn't what sets THA apart. 2/10

4. Faust

Another song, like Complex Terms, that is mostly dominated by growls, with the occasional piece of melody, but those melodies are absolutely stunning. The second half of the song goes into a really nice piano underlay. 7/10

5. Antebellum

This. Is one of my favourite songs of all time. The sheer emotion packed into just 7 minutes of music is astonishing. And so much happens in that time. This song, apparently, is written in sonata form. I don't really know what that means, but I understand it's what classical composers use as a form like pop songs have verse/chorus forms. Either way, it works very well, with the reprises of certain sections being completely amazing. Travis' vocals are completely on fire here, and I adore how the unclean section isn't overpowering and you actually focus much more on the solo. And boy what a solo. Truly heart-stopping. When I read the lyrics, I actually struggle to remember hearing half of them, because all my concentration is on those fantastic riffs. And I haven't even got to the hooks yet. The major hook ("regiments of disconnects emerge?") is one of my favourite of all time. One of those melodies that makes you want to sing it as loud as you physically can.

I could say much more about this, but I feel I'm rambling. Listen to this song before you die or you will never have lived. 11/10

6. Holographic Sight

Another weaker song, especially after the explosion of Antebellum. Doesn't give any fantastic melodies. 3/10

7. Horizon To Zenith

The only 100% clean song on the album, and a very nice one. Travis' vocals here remind me of Thom Yorke/Matt Bellamy (whoever you prefer), and has a nice chorus melody again. This song also boasts the most ridiculously prog guitar/bass syncing I have ever heard. Both guitar and bass play the same notes, taking seemingly random pauses to create one of the most ridiculous sections on the album. 9/10

8. Patterns

This is probably the only song that is clean, but doesn't have an amazing vocal hook in it. Doesn't stop it from being a good song though. 6/10

Overall 6.4/10, 4 stars

Good - Antebellum, the solo on Horizon to Zenith, Antebellum, acoustic guitar, Antebellum, classical influence, Antebellum

Bad - It's only 37 minutes, and take away the bad songs, 26 minutes. And considering the good songs are all REALLY GOOD SONGS, it sort of feels lke they have a bit more in them to give.