UMUR
"The Sense Apparatus" is the debut full-length studio album by Norwegian progressive metal act Frantic Bleep. The album was released through Elitist Records in February 2005. Frantic Bleep formed in 2001 and released the "Fluctadmission" demo in 2002. The project is closely related to (and shares members with) disbanded progressive groove metal act Chopworm and later doom/progressive/gothic metal act Madder Mortem.
"The Sense Apparatus" is built as one 41:27 long song, although it features nine sub track. They all flow together though, creating the feeling that you´re listening to one long epic progressive metal song. Frantic Bleep combine elements of many types of progressive rock and metal styles, and the music is geneally very dynamic ranging from mellow and melancholic parts with clean singing, to louder and much heavier parts featuring screaming extreme metal vocals. The latter isn´t the dominant style of the album though, but used more for making an aggressive point within the context of a song. "The Sense Apparatus" is technically well performed, but it´s an album which is first and foremost focused on melancholic atmospheres.
The album is well produced, featuring a powerful, clear, and detailed sounding production, which suits the material well. For all the positives there is to say about "The Sense Apparatus", it has to be mentioned though, that while it´s entertaining and emotionally impactful while playing, it´s not an album you are able to remember much from when it stops playing. The songwriting is professional, varied, and intriguing, but upon conclusion it doesn´t feature many lasting memorable moments. Still a 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.