ANIMALS AS LEADERS: The Madness Of Many (JAZZ,Djent): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Two eight-string guitars, a drum kit, superhuman technique and incredible talent. This is a summary of Animals As Leaders, which in a decade has revolutionized instrumental music, created a specific style similar to djent fusion and divided the audience into two categories: admiring fans and allergic fans. If the complex music of the combo is demanding or even hermetic for some, it is all the more exciting for those who take the time to tame it.

The Americans' fourth album, "The Madness Of Many", marks an important evolution of Animals As Leaders as a band. Indeed, this time the trio has decided to produce itself, and the result is mastering and the right balance between all the instruments. So much so that the gifted Tosin Abasi and his lead guitar give way to Javier Reyes to express his impressive guitaristic work on rhythms and bass and to drummer Matt Garstka to push the limits of its art.

Certainly, as with any djent band, polyrhythm is the trademark of Animals As Leaders. But on "The Madness Of Many", musicians subtly explore syncopations unknown to the ordinary musician. Omnipresent, hypnotic, haunting, breaks and ruptures follow one another on each track with a disconcerting fluidity, like a multitude of auditory fractals giving harmony to the chaos.

Often compared to Steve Vai, Tosin Abassi, for his part, does not deny the influence of the master ('Ectogenesis','Inner Assassins') and alternates aerial instrumental themes ('Arithmophobia') with impressive shred solos ('Transcentience'). However, his playing gives more and more importance to his jazz influences to the detriment of metal, sometimes reminiscent of Allan Holdsworth ('Private Visions Of The World','The Glass Bridge') or Pat Metheny ('The Brain Dance'). Few compositions ('Backpfeifengesicht', Transcentience') use saturated guitar riffs and overall, the album is a modern instrumental jazz rock djent opus.

"The Madness Of Many" only reveals its power and beauty after many listening but it then becomes very addictive for the curious listener who listens to the music instead of consuming it. Certainly Animals As Leaders could be accused of sacrificing emotion at the altar of an extraordinary technique, but the band's musical research and its ambition to renew itself while keeping its personality, at the risk of appearing elitist, must be praised. - Official website

ANIMALS AS LEADERS

THE MADNESS OF MANY

AUTRE LABEL

JAZZ