THE SENSE APPARATUS

One of the most brilliant albums i've ever heard within the prog-metal scene, The Sense Apparatus has to rank in a similar level as the works done by the "giants" of modern metal, like POS, OPETH and DREAM THEATER. The difference between FRANTIC BLEEP and those bands above is that the atmosphere created by the music is even creepier and sometimes more powerful, mainly due to great and smart usage of keyboards to reproduce chaotic states of mind and all that stuff krautrockers would probably love (that is, if they dig metal as well).

The entire album works as a unit, so you have to listen to it entirely. The short opener makes a majestic intro with some very creative usage of guitar to create a doomy atmosphere. Following to "The Expulsion" and its fiery begining, the song displays a change between heavy and mellow sections, with the latter ones being filled with soft vocals, and the heavy ones having more emphasys on instrumentation and some occasional growling. Fortunately they don't exceed with the growl-like vocals in this album as i don't think they would fit very well. "Sins Of Omission" has one of the most addictive metal melodies ever, and flows directly into the powerful "But A Memory". This track will send shivers down your spine. The next one is beautiful in a really weird way, and probably the album's most atmospheric number: "Mausolos" display a futuristic world, and probably a really sad one too. Not very accessible to occasional metal listeners, but a masterpiece for anyone into unusual music. The next three numbers are heavier but also worthy of attention, and the closing track end in a true eerie way, closing the album perfectly.

A masterpiece that everyone who is into prog/metal/kraut should give a listen. Why kraut? Because of the atmosphere, people into mind tricks created by music will be into this album, so just experience it, you won't be disappointed.

Frantic Bleep - The Sense Apparatus 3.8 stars

This band is awesome at creating obscure melodies.

This band is made up of four members. Sten Svenheim is on drums, Paul Bjorke on vocals and bass, Patrick Scantlebury on guitar and synth and finally Eywin Sundstrom and guitars.

Frantic Bleep is a nice new breath of fresh air to the prog-metal scene. This release is very good, most of the songs are pretty short, but very progressive in nature. My only problem is that it gets a little redundant at the end. Even with that, the songs are pretty exciting and the lead guitar work stands out. Besides the typical prog-metal style, the guitars go to some atmospheric lengths as well. The vocals are also done pretty well and feature a minimal amount of death growls, but are there merely to fill in the holes when the music starts to get a bit chaotic. Unfortunately there isn't too much to be heard from any of the other instruments on the album, but I think the music is focused around the aforementioned melodies.

This is a really good prog-metal album. A die-hard fan of the genre will certainly find good things in this. To those who don't like digging too deep in this genre, this won't be that special.

FRANTIC BLEEP are from Norway and they play a dark, atmospheric and often heavy brand of Metal. I bought this so long ago that I couldn't remember what they were supposed to sound like, so it was a surprise to listen to this for the first time. I was reminded of OPETH at times during some of the more atmospheric sections and ZERO HOUR when it got heavy. Unfortunately overall this doesn't compare to what either of those two bands have released.This is on the outer fringe of what I like which was a bit frustrating but still there's still lots to like.

"A Survey" opens with heavy mid-paced riffing then the vocals join in before a minute on this short intro track. "The Expulsion" features guitar that sounds like a buzz-saw followed by heaviness. It calms right down before a minute and reserved vocals join in. It kicks back in as contrasts continue. Spacey synths before 4 minutes. "Sins Of Omission" is heavy and dark. A calm takes over before a minute then it picks back up. "But A Memory" opens with some interesting guitar melodies that I like. It settles with vocals 1 1/2 minutes in reminding me of OPETH. Atmosphere follows then it kicks in heavier than ever 3 1/2 minutes to end it.

"Mausolos" opens with atmosphere then the keyboards join in. Reserved vocals after 1 1/2 minutes. More atmosphere after 3 1/2 minutes to end it. "Curtainraiser" opens with a heavy sound that builds as vocals sort of blend into it. Now he's screaming. It's doom-like before 2 minutes then it lightens a little as contrasts continue. "Mandaughter" is uptempo for a change as they "rock out". Nice. It settles back but it's still heavy. Spoken words and a calm then it kicks back in.The tempo picks back up like on the intro but not for long. "Nebulous Termini" has a good intro as the soft vocals sing over top. Heavy before 1 1/2 minutes. Some extreme vocals before 3 minutes. Spoken words end it. "Cone" is heavy and doom-like as reserved vocals join in.

A good album but it's not clicking with me.