BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME: Colors Ii (PROGRESSIVE METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Rare are the bands that, after 21 years of career, manage to keep the same level of quality from album to album. Between The Buried And Me, figurehead of the extreme progressive metal, is certainly part of the batch. And while many bands labeled "progressive" shift towards a more formatted and radio-friendly music, the American quintet seems on the contrary to assume and totally embrace its more technical and complex side, even if it means making its music difficult to access or even elitist.

These last years, the musicians would even seem to have crossed an additional step with the release of the exceptional "Coma Ecliptic", even if this one was not unanimously acclaimed by its public, the mathcore side having been somewhat put aside for the greatest pleasure of the more progressive fans. Revealed with their fourth album "Colors" released in 2007, it seems that the American quintet wanted to pay a tribute to the album that made them known by announcing a few months earlier the release of their new studio album, "Colors II". If we can perceive some hints of the first part of "Colors" in this new opus, the comparisons between the two albums stop there, so much this last effort has its own identity.

As often, the total duration of the album is close to 80 minutes, with not less than 12 tracks. As much to say that the result is dense and that it will require many listenings before being digested and appreciated at its true value. Once this preparatory work is done in order to appreciate all the subtleties of this second studio album, we can only notice once again the excellence that emanates from the band play of these accomplished musicians.

'Monochrome' opens the opus in a very soft way as the combo usually likes to do, but some nice fights are waiting for the listener during the listening of the record. 'The Double Helix Of Extinction' is certainly one of the heaviest tracks on the record, featuring guttural vocals and the speedy drums of the incredible Blake Richardson. In an equally violent register, although more fiery, we will also mention the first single 'Fix The Error' and its amazing and completely unexpected cartoon-like clip (with Mike Portnoy as a guest!).

As usual, it's on the longest and most accomplished tracks that Between The Buried And Me pulls out all the stops. The second single 'Revolution In Limbo' will certainly be one of the best tracks of the year, thanks to a great chorus and a second half that makes some forays into samba. Without barriers and without limits of genre, the band makes havoc, as it was already the case on the delirious 'Voice Of Trespass' on "Automata II". 'Never Seen/Future Shock' offers the right dose of violence contrasted by calmer parts bringing a welcome breath. Impossible not to mention 'Prehistory' and 'Bad Habits' which follow each other as one long track of 12 minutes, with again a 5 star chorus and wonderful sections, as well as the last track, a 15 minutes epic, 'Human Is Hell' (Another One With Love) which closes the album in the best way.

With "Colors II", Between The Buried And Me pays more than a tribute to its elder "Colors" and definitively establishes its status as a major band of the extreme progressive scene. - Official website

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME

COLORS II

AUTRE LABEL

PROGRESSIVE METAL