UNEVEN STRUCTURE: La Partition (PROGRESSIVE METAL,Djent): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

All it took was an EP ("8", in 2009) and an album ("Februus", in 2011) to propel Uneven Structure to the forefront of the djent movement. If "8" was directly influenced by the Meshuggah founders, "Februus" included atmospheric instrumentals that marked an evolution of the band towards atmospheres closer to Textures and Tesseract, even a progressive metal inspired by Devin Townsend. And in the space of three years, Uneven Structure has become the French flagship of the djent scene.

And then nothing more, except a re-release of "8", entirely re-recorded on the occasion of the arrival of the band's new singer, Mathieu Romarin. For five years, the band has redoubled its efforts to follow up on "Februus". Five years during which the line-up evolved, seeing the arrival of Arnaud Verrier behind the drums and Steeves Hostin as third guitarist. Five years of reflection, doubt, inspiration and composition that resulted in a major evolution of Uneven Structure's musical style.

"The Partition" is a concept-album that develops a constant dramatic tension from the first to the last bar. Built like a tragedy in three acts, the narrative framework is based on a dreamlike tale: sirens have lost their voices and entrust a sailor with the task of finding the score of their songs. The sailor will become dependent on this impossible quest that will prove fatal. This metaphor of addiction and loss of control leading to chaos is supported by dense, complex, conceptual music that creates a climate of permanent uncertainty.

Each act is composed of a triptych of three pieces and each triptych is separated by a short instrumental. The first part, intended to set up the story, is a major evolution in the band's sound. The polyrhythms carry atmospheric industrial metal atmospheres ('Alkaline Throat','Brazen Tongue') and the heavy and powerful guitars borrow from the grunge of Alice In Chains and Soundgarden ('Crystal Teeth'). The second act returns to the atmospheric djent and is a true melodic whirlwind, of impressive technical mastery, mixing aerial guitars and symphonic parts (the magnificent "Incube"), clear and growl vocals ('Succube', "Funambule'). The last act, on the other hand, is becoming heavier and heavier and accompanies the main protagonist in his descent into the underworld of the sea. This third part, introduced by a post metal track very inspired by Cult Of Luna ('The Bait'), alternates growl vocals and blast beats ('Our Embrace') and ends with a violent death metal track ('Your Scent'), announcing the loss of reference points and the drowning of the unfortunate sailor.

"La Partition" is a musical odyssey refined in the smallest details by musicians in a state of grace, masterfully directed by Igor Omodei, guitarist and sextet leader. All the instruments are at the service of the atmosphere. The guitar layers overlap to create a demanding and progressive music, which will require the listener to immerse himself completely in the universe of Uneven Structure to grasp its richness. With this remarkable album, the French band has forged its own identity even more assertive and offers us a record of high quality, extraordinary, modern and particularly innovative.

"The Score" will be a milestone in the history of progressive metal as the appearance of a new style, synthesizing post metal, atmospheric DJ and post grunge. With this racy album, Uneven structure invented the post djent. - Official website

UNEVEN STRUCTURE

LA PARTITION

LONG BRANCH RECORDS

PROGRESSIVE METAL