Non Human Level - Non Human Level
Listenable Records - posh076 - 2005
By Philip Whitehouse
Christofer Malmstrom had a lot on his hands when he decided to to form Non Human Level. The Darkane guitarist assembled the band, wrote all of the music and lyrics, played the guitar parts, and recorded and produced the album. Admittedly, he was helped by more than able musicians - Meshuggah's Gustaf Hielm played bass, Devin Townsend Band's Ryan van Poederooyen ascended the drum throne, and Darkane bandmate Peter Wildoer took on singing duties. Overall, around six years passed between Non Human Level's conception and the appearance of the group's first record. So, was it worth the wait?
Well, if you're into a blisteringly intense and furiously played meld of melodic death metal and breakneck thrash, largely instrumental, and shot through with frequent, extended and jaw-droppingly impressive lead/solo breaks, then I'd say your favourite record has probably just arrived. Some of the riffage on this album sounds like hyperfast power metal at it's wankiest, but somehow avoids excessive cheese by dint of a crunchy tone and a pummelling rhythm section. However, if you were more hoping to see what a mix of all these players' influences would be like, you're in for a disappointment - this is very much Malmstrom's showcase. There is a bass solo on opening cut 'Divine Creation Of Void' (and a damned good one, too). Hell, even Demon's keyboard player Lale Larson turns up for a quick tickle of the ivories. For the most part, though, it's fret-melting riffage and blazing solos all the way. Three of the ten tracks are instrumentals, for Goat's sake - and take a guess who's getting to show off the most through them?
To be honest, though, the disappointment felt on realising that this wasn't going to be some extreme metal braintrust record, with respected musicians feeding on each other's influences to produce something extraordinary, is rapidly (and completely) mitigated by the sheer energetic joy of Malmstrom's vision. The dude absolutely fucking loves metal, and it shows. There are prog-metal song-structure twists, gloriously triumphant power metal anthemic-chorus-and-solo matchups, pummelling and relentless death metal stampedes, furious thrash triplet-wristed riff-barrages, and just about everything in between. While a bit of restraint in the soloing and more work on the songwriting may have made Non Human Level's individual tracks have more of a permanent impression and a touch more individuality from each other, the fact is that this disc is an adrenalised, heavy-as-fuck melodeathrash party record, and an invigorating and welcome listen for it. The lack of particular stand-out tracks is a testament to the consistency of the quality of music on this record - you may remember particular riffs or solos from various tracks, but each song as a whole stands shoulder to shoulder with the next. So, as it stands, while there may not be a particular club hit or potential single on Non Human Level, neither is there a duff track or wince-worthy moment. It's a whirlwind trolley-dash through all the best parts of several metal sub-genres, and a wholly satisfying album as a result.
8/10
Official Christofer Malmstrom Website
Official Listenable Records Website
Listenable Records - posh076 - 2005
By Philip Whitehouse
Christofer Malmstrom had a lot on his hands when he decided to to form Non Human Level. The Darkane guitarist assembled the band, wrote all of the music and lyrics, played the guitar parts, and recorded and produced the album. Admittedly, he was helped by more than able musicians - Meshuggah's Gustaf Hielm played bass, Devin Townsend Band's Ryan van Poederooyen ascended the drum throne, and Darkane bandmate Peter Wildoer took on singing duties. Overall, around six years passed between Non Human Level's conception and the appearance of the group's first record. So, was it worth the wait?
Well, if you're into a blisteringly intense and furiously played meld of melodic death metal and breakneck thrash, largely instrumental, and shot through with frequent, extended and jaw-droppingly impressive lead/solo breaks, then I'd say your favourite record has probably just arrived. Some of the riffage on this album sounds like hyperfast power metal at it's wankiest, but somehow avoids excessive cheese by dint of a crunchy tone and a pummelling rhythm section. However, if you were more hoping to see what a mix of all these players' influences would be like, you're in for a disappointment - this is very much Malmstrom's showcase. There is a bass solo on opening cut 'Divine Creation Of Void' (and a damned good one, too). Hell, even Demon's keyboard player Lale Larson turns up for a quick tickle of the ivories. For the most part, though, it's fret-melting riffage and blazing solos all the way. Three of the ten tracks are instrumentals, for Goat's sake - and take a guess who's getting to show off the most through them?
To be honest, though, the disappointment felt on realising that this wasn't going to be some extreme metal braintrust record, with respected musicians feeding on each other's influences to produce something extraordinary, is rapidly (and completely) mitigated by the sheer energetic joy of Malmstrom's vision. The dude absolutely fucking loves metal, and it shows. There are prog-metal song-structure twists, gloriously triumphant power metal anthemic-chorus-and-solo matchups, pummelling and relentless death metal stampedes, furious thrash triplet-wristed riff-barrages, and just about everything in between. While a bit of restraint in the soloing and more work on the songwriting may have made Non Human Level's individual tracks have more of a permanent impression and a touch more individuality from each other, the fact is that this disc is an adrenalised, heavy-as-fuck melodeathrash party record, and an invigorating and welcome listen for it. The lack of particular stand-out tracks is a testament to the consistency of the quality of music on this record - you may remember particular riffs or solos from various tracks, but each song as a whole stands shoulder to shoulder with the next. So, as it stands, while there may not be a particular club hit or potential single on Non Human Level, neither is there a duff track or wince-worthy moment. It's a whirlwind trolley-dash through all the best parts of several metal sub-genres, and a wholly satisfying album as a result.
8/10
Official Christofer Malmstrom Website
Official Listenable Records Website
