NEW SEASON NEW BLUES

"New Season​ /​ New Blues" is the 2nd full-length studio album by UK metal act No Made Sense. The album was independently released in July 2011. It´s the successor to "The Epillanic Choragi" from 2009 and features the same lineup has the predecessor: Leo Dennett (guitars, vocals), Joe Battimelli (bass), and Sam Ward (drums).

"New Season​ /​ New Blues" seems a fitting title and a good description of what has happened to the band´s music since the debut album, because while there are similarities between the two releases, No Made Sense have developed their sound quite a bit, and in many ways it feels like "New Season​ /​ New Blues" was recorded by a completely different act to the one who recorded "The Epillanic Choragi (2009)". If the sound on the debut album was hard to describe, it´s even harder describing the sound on "New Season​ /​ New Blues", but I´ll say an experimental/progressive sludge/groove metal style which is pretty organic and often sounds like it is is improvised or at least that the musicians are given room to be creative within the structures of the tracks, is a decent shot at a description.

The trio lineup are very talented and well playing, and lead vocalist Leo Dennett has a varied vocal style, performing both clean and more raw type vocals. As mentioned the structures of the tracks often appear loose and the band sound at ease with the freedom of improvisation. It also means that the tracks aren´t always that memorable though because of the lack of recognisable vers/chorus catchiness, but they are on the other hand quite intriguing and "New Season​ /​ New Blues" is an album which will keep you on your toes throughout the 55:24 minutes long playing time.

The album features a powerful, organic, and detailed sound production, which suits the material well. While "New Season​ /​ New Blues" may not have been what fans of the band expected, this is the sound of a band doing exactly what they feel like doing, and despite this not being a perfect release, it´s always praise worthy when artists try something new and follow their musical instinct instead of trying to create what others expect of them. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives)