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Degree
Absolute is the dream child of multi instrumentalist Aaron Bell who has
been involved with numerous bands and projects over the years, but this
has got to be one of his best.
This mix of progressive metal combined with various other musical genres
makes it a joy to listen too. The combination of the different
musical styles certainly makes for a very interesting album.
The album opens up with ‘Exist’ and immediately you think doom
metal. Then the tempo changes into a more traditional metal sound
and the vocals come in, suddenly it's now a prog metal track! The
change is phenomenal and will have your head spinning as to which genre
your listening too, spellbinding stuff.
The album continues with Dream Theater like ‘Laughing Alone’ with
it's pulsating bass and drums. The track stays on the progressive
road and barely sways off the road, unlike the opening track.
The progressive feel continues with ‘Questions’ with is change of
tempo midway through the track that is just a masterful stroke by Aaron
Bell and is one of my favorite pieces from the album.
The pace slows down completely with ‘Confession’ and the
instrumental ‘Distance' aren’t quite somber but more melodious.
Followed by the strangely titled ‘HalfManHalfBiscuit' which
nestles in between all this metal. With it's almost Space Odyssey
feel to it breaking up the heavier elements of the album, before the
next track 'P1' which is another instrumental. ‘P1’ is more of
an interlude between the more slower tracks and the final two songs
which see the return to the more heavier sound.
The first of these being ‘Ask For Nothing Of Me’ which is more in
keeping with the first half of the album. Whereas the final track
‘Ergo Sum’ can only be described as a final act of what has to be
the most epic of albums I have heard in quite a while.
With Degree Absolute Aaron Bell has come up with a project that just
refuses to be categorized or pigeon holed in anyway or form. To
appreciate the complexity of the album you must take it into a darkened
room and just let the full majesty of the music run over you.
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