DARK SUNS — Grave Human Genuine (review)

DARK SUNS — Grave Human Genuine album cover Album · 2008 · Progressive Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
Negoba
Beauty in unexpected places.

This line is growled during the highlight track of the album, and it is an apt descriptor of this work. Ranging from unbelievable heaviness to floating melody, this indeed is an unexpected beauty.

When I first encountered Dark Suns as a recommended artist on internet radio, I had fairly low expectations. Opeth-lite with Tool thrown in was a common descriptor, but then I heard a longer selection on Franz Keylard's prog podcast, and I was impressed. In fact, I slowly bought up the tracks on iTunes until I now have the whole album and continue to recommend this as one of the better metal albums of the year 2008.

The standout track is "Flies in Amber" which starts with flute and a syncopated, complex-time riff and employs Nico Knappe's greatest helping of growls on the album. Present too are his childlike, unique clean vocals that really are Dark Suns signature element. These are featured most prominently on "Thornchild" which begins with an extended a capella section which includes lyrics "Take your spoon now, just taste my spine. Crunch it slowly..." I find the juxtaposition of the choir-boy tonality and the dark lyrics quite effective, and when the heavy section comes in, it makes perfect sense.

There are many standout moments on this album, including what may be the absolutely most heavy recorded moment of all time, during "Chameleon Defect," which simultaneously employs blast beats, gothic choir, and plenty of heavy guitar which I can only describe as standing outside during a soft-ball size hail storm.

Not everything works so powerfully, however. The electronic drums of "Amphibian Halo" aren't bad, but distract from the overall feel of the album. Similarly, "Papillon" is an overlong mood-piece that has spoken word passages. Again, not bad, but certainly a step down in an album that has its share of brilliant moments.

Since I first wrote this review, the album hasn't held quite the interest for me. It just doesn't draw me back that often. It's still quite strong and well worth the listen.
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