Degree Absolute - Degree Absolute
Sensory Records - SR3019 - 2006
By Philip Whitehouse
Degree Absolute is the brainchild of one Aaron Bell, who had been recording material in a solo, multi-instrumentalist capacity since 1999 before assembling a session bassist and drummer and recording this nine track technical progressive metal opus. Reminiscent of a cross between Watchtower and Fates Warning (with a touch of Layne Staley to the vocals), this is an instrumentally impressive and sonically pristine (thanks to the Neil Kernon production) album.
Melding heavier, prog/thrash riffage and technical fret-wizardry to more straightforward, pummeling guitar stomp and mixing those elements up with occasional ambient electronica, Meshuggah-esque polyrhythms and jazzy, virtuosic lead runs, Degree Absolute certainly provide a varied musical package. What is particularly impressive, however, is how individualistic this blend sounds - while elements and influences are identifiable from other sources, this is definitely Aaron Bell's baby.
Sadly, this means he has to take the blame for the album's failings, as well as credit for it's triumphs. For the most part, this is an entertaining album, but there are noticeable lulls in the record when things get less heavy. The opening one-two punch of 'Exist' and 'Laughing Alone' seem much stronger than the somewhat more meandering 'Questions', and things don't seem to pick up again really until the oddball, off-kilter 'HalfManHalfBiscuit', which sees polyrhythmic syncopated kick-drum and guitar trading off with electronic effects for an unusual and arresting instrumental. The vocals, too, are fairly unspectacular - not unpleasant or incompetent by any means, just not anything particularly special. There's also a nagging feeling that some more dual-guitar work could have fleshed out the compositions somewhat.
All that said, Degree Absolute is still a fairly impressive debut - and since, according to interviews, some of this material is pretty damned old and the second album is already being written, hopefully we'll see Aaron Bell building on his strengths and producing another record that builds on the considerable potential shown here.
6.5/10 (UM's Review Ratings Scale)
Degree Absolute's Official Website
Sensory Records' Official Website
Sensory Records - SR3019 - 2006
By Philip Whitehouse
Degree Absolute is the brainchild of one Aaron Bell, who had been recording material in a solo, multi-instrumentalist capacity since 1999 before assembling a session bassist and drummer and recording this nine track technical progressive metal opus. Reminiscent of a cross between Watchtower and Fates Warning (with a touch of Layne Staley to the vocals), this is an instrumentally impressive and sonically pristine (thanks to the Neil Kernon production) album.
Melding heavier, prog/thrash riffage and technical fret-wizardry to more straightforward, pummeling guitar stomp and mixing those elements up with occasional ambient electronica, Meshuggah-esque polyrhythms and jazzy, virtuosic lead runs, Degree Absolute certainly provide a varied musical package. What is particularly impressive, however, is how individualistic this blend sounds - while elements and influences are identifiable from other sources, this is definitely Aaron Bell's baby.
Sadly, this means he has to take the blame for the album's failings, as well as credit for it's triumphs. For the most part, this is an entertaining album, but there are noticeable lulls in the record when things get less heavy. The opening one-two punch of 'Exist' and 'Laughing Alone' seem much stronger than the somewhat more meandering 'Questions', and things don't seem to pick up again really until the oddball, off-kilter 'HalfManHalfBiscuit', which sees polyrhythmic syncopated kick-drum and guitar trading off with electronic effects for an unusual and arresting instrumental. The vocals, too, are fairly unspectacular - not unpleasant or incompetent by any means, just not anything particularly special. There's also a nagging feeling that some more dual-guitar work could have fleshed out the compositions somewhat.
All that said, Degree Absolute is still a fairly impressive debut - and since, according to interviews, some of this material is pretty damned old and the second album is already being written, hopefully we'll see Aaron Bell building on his strengths and producing another record that builds on the considerable potential shown here.
6.5/10 (UM's Review Ratings Scale)
Degree Absolute's Official Website
Sensory Records' Official Website
