I have really never understood what have been going on in the world of Waltari. The Finnish band is mixing all types of music into each other, with the base in guitar-driven rock and heavy metal, but funk, gothic, indie and so forth also sticks their ugly heads into the mix once in a while. I've heard a couple of the band's earlier albums and have never been impressed. Now the time has come for them to release their 11th full length album.
10 tracks of mind boggling confusing music is what I get from this album. The band kick it off in one direction, and during the song, they hit it in this and that way, until it ends up as it more or less started or in a fourth direction. I normally like music that acts like that, as long it is well-written and has something to offer, and I don't really feel that is the case here. I miss some consistency that grips me and keeps my attention on the track I'm listening to. Here I start listening to one track, and suddenly 2 tracks have passed by, without that hitting me, until it's too late.
There are of course some tracks that stands out, the very funky 'Without Lies', which shifts into a hell of a synth. And the funny yet quite annoying 'Syntax Error' with its electronic element, that lays just beneath the guitars and vocals, a track with some resemblances to Clawfinger here and there, with some softer parts and industrial included, until the track is lost within itself.
The band must have done something right that justifies their long line of releases and label support, though they don't hit it off with me. Crossover and progression can be good, but it can also be overdone, when it ends up in the hands and minds of over-creative bands. Though I suppose if you dug the other records from this band, you'll dig 'Below Zero' as well, as it is wicked as hell and there are some good guitars and moments here and there, but the overall impression of the album, leaves me with a bland feeling.
http://www.waltarimusic.com/
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AUTHOR: Nocturnal DK
A Danish metalhead on the way to become old, enjoys most types of metal, though brutality and darkness are mostly preferred, and too modern takes on metal are not always positively looked upon. Have been writing about metal for 10 years in own and at other publications as Fishcomcollective, Ancient Ceremonies, Northern Shadows and now Corazine and the upcoming Terror Propaganda (might have forgotten a few, come and kick my arse!).