Meshuggah Catch Thirty Three
Nuclear Blast Records NB 1311 5/23/05 EU, 5/31/05 US
By Nathan Pearce
There is no doubt that Meshuggah is a pioneer in modern progressive, forward-thinking, pick-your-descriptive metal. Even metal fans that cant seem to comprehend what Meshuggah is doing can agree with that statement (whether you like them or not). Furthermore, Meshuggah has come to that pivotal point where they have given birth to many Meshuggah clones; none of which come even close to the ingenuity found in each new release from their father band. Any band that moves forward with such awareness from the rest of the music world has two choices: they can either try to improve on something theyve presumably perfected in the past, or they can continue with the forward momentum theyve spent so many years building upon. With the long-awaited, much-anticipated Catch Thirty Three, Meshuggah has undoubtedly taken another step into the future.
Following the absolutely stunning I was going to be a VERY difficult task for Meshuggah. I took all the elements of Meshuggah, past and present, and created one of metals most amazing songs (I was a one song EP, if you didnt know) EVER. Thats not just my opinion either . . . its a fact. Fortunately Meshuggah has absolutely no concerns about what their fans think. While they dont deliberately set out to piss off fans, Meshuggah has become known for taking a left turn every time out of the gates. Once again, Catch Thirty Three takes another left turn. If I had to hurry this review up, Id describe Catch Thirty Three as a combination of Nothing and I. But that wont suffice for such an amazing album. As you probably already know, since the album has been talked about on the internet for at least a year now, Catch Thirty Three is a 47 minute, one song (divided into 13 tracks) opus. Much like Nothing, Catch Thirty Three, for the most part, moves along like a giant cyborg . . . bruising and crushing everything in its path, and much like I, Catch Thirty Three introduces many elements of surprise. Atmospheric breakdowns are now an integral part of Meshuggahs sound. Hell, In Death Is Death is pretty much a 13 minute venture into Meshuggah atmospherics; however, taken within the context of the entire disc (song), the aforementioned track is an essential element of the overall course of dynamics in Catch Thirty Three. Its in these atmospherics, along with some vocal experimentation and other electronic manipulations, that Catch Thirty Three fuses itself into the listeners mind quicker and more intensely than any other Meshuggah release. The resulting effect is a Meshuggah album that is both MORE experimental and EASIER to listen to . . . notice I didnt say easier to comprehend.
Dont get me wrong Catch Thirty Three is NOT a simpler, more user-friendly version of Meshuggah. If anything, Meshuggah has outdone themselves in the experimentation department. I do believe, however, that fans that balk at the idea of a band that can twist and manipulate time signatures like a gangle of wet pubic hair will find Catch Thirty Three to be a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding experience. Fans of the band will no doubt ignore this review, as well as most other reviews, and buy the album no matter what anybody says about it.
If everything I just said is confusing or too descriptive for you (or just too damn much to read), heres a shorter review for you. Catch Thirty Three is the Meshuggah album everybody (both fans and those on the sidelines) has been waiting for!
9.5/10
Meshuggahs Official Website
Nuclear Blasts Official Website
Nuclear Blast Records NB 1311 5/23/05 EU, 5/31/05 US
By Nathan Pearce
There is no doubt that Meshuggah is a pioneer in modern progressive, forward-thinking, pick-your-descriptive metal. Even metal fans that cant seem to comprehend what Meshuggah is doing can agree with that statement (whether you like them or not). Furthermore, Meshuggah has come to that pivotal point where they have given birth to many Meshuggah clones; none of which come even close to the ingenuity found in each new release from their father band. Any band that moves forward with such awareness from the rest of the music world has two choices: they can either try to improve on something theyve presumably perfected in the past, or they can continue with the forward momentum theyve spent so many years building upon. With the long-awaited, much-anticipated Catch Thirty Three, Meshuggah has undoubtedly taken another step into the future.
Following the absolutely stunning I was going to be a VERY difficult task for Meshuggah. I took all the elements of Meshuggah, past and present, and created one of metals most amazing songs (I was a one song EP, if you didnt know) EVER. Thats not just my opinion either . . . its a fact. Fortunately Meshuggah has absolutely no concerns about what their fans think. While they dont deliberately set out to piss off fans, Meshuggah has become known for taking a left turn every time out of the gates. Once again, Catch Thirty Three takes another left turn. If I had to hurry this review up, Id describe Catch Thirty Three as a combination of Nothing and I. But that wont suffice for such an amazing album. As you probably already know, since the album has been talked about on the internet for at least a year now, Catch Thirty Three is a 47 minute, one song (divided into 13 tracks) opus. Much like Nothing, Catch Thirty Three, for the most part, moves along like a giant cyborg . . . bruising and crushing everything in its path, and much like I, Catch Thirty Three introduces many elements of surprise. Atmospheric breakdowns are now an integral part of Meshuggahs sound. Hell, In Death Is Death is pretty much a 13 minute venture into Meshuggah atmospherics; however, taken within the context of the entire disc (song), the aforementioned track is an essential element of the overall course of dynamics in Catch Thirty Three. Its in these atmospherics, along with some vocal experimentation and other electronic manipulations, that Catch Thirty Three fuses itself into the listeners mind quicker and more intensely than any other Meshuggah release. The resulting effect is a Meshuggah album that is both MORE experimental and EASIER to listen to . . . notice I didnt say easier to comprehend.
Dont get me wrong Catch Thirty Three is NOT a simpler, more user-friendly version of Meshuggah. If anything, Meshuggah has outdone themselves in the experimentation department. I do believe, however, that fans that balk at the idea of a band that can twist and manipulate time signatures like a gangle of wet pubic hair will find Catch Thirty Three to be a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding experience. Fans of the band will no doubt ignore this review, as well as most other reviews, and buy the album no matter what anybody says about it.
If everything I just said is confusing or too descriptive for you (or just too damn much to read), heres a shorter review for you. Catch Thirty Three is the Meshuggah album everybody (both fans and those on the sidelines) has been waiting for!
9.5/10
Meshuggahs Official Website
Nuclear Blasts Official Website
