Spiral Architect - A Sceptic's Universe
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Spiral ArchitectEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2000-03-28
Music Label: Sensory Records
Soundtracks:
- Spinning
- Excessit
- Moving Spirit
- Occam's Razor
- Insect
- Cloud Constructor
- Conjuring Callapse
- Adaptability
- Fountainhead
Free Music Notes for A Sceptic's Universe
Free Music Review: Some Good Elements
Hit: 3 Stars
Admittedly, I'm a bit of a junkie for progressive music/odd-time signatures.
Influences:
You will notice (immediately), if you've listened to any of the bands, a tremendous Watchtower and Cynic influence underlying A Sceptic's Universe. If you want to hear something Cynic-esque, listen to the end of Fountainhead: Clean, Jazzy textures and a lead guitar reminiscent of Masvidal's tone/solos.
Style:
Despite their influences, you can rest assured that absolutely nothing out there sounds exactly like Spiral Architect. Riffs are often composed of superimposed fourths/fifths modulated by half steps. The bass is also very high in the mix, so you hear prominent bass lines, often which are being played in counterpoint with the guitar rather than matching.
As far as a jazz/fusion influence goes, it is virtually nonexistent.
Technicality:
This album sets the bar almost impossibly high for technical metal. Not the kind of Dream Theater instrumental technicality that boggles you, though the musicians are very skilled in their own right, but rather a tremendous complexity of song structure and use of odd-time signatures. The riffs are tremendously difficult to play not necessarily because of speed, but because of their unorthodox construction.
I think, mercifully, that the impetus in Spiral Architect is on musical complexity rather than instrumental proficiency.
The Solos:
The general riffing is very unorthodox and creative, but most of the solos are essentially generic harmonic minor wanking. Not terrible to listen to , but nothing special.
Lyrics:
Lots of philosophical themes. Two Ayn Rand references: "Fountainhead" and "Moving Spirit". The lyrics are neither emotionally moving nor particularly stimulating intellectually.
The Flaws:
The vocals. While the vocalist himself is not terrible, the lines are awkward and rarely add anything memorable to the music.
I've heard a lot of criticism of the drumming as being "lazy", and I'm somewhat inclined to agree. While no slouch, there are certainly more interesting patterns that the drummer could have played, rather than playing rhythmically similar figures. Not a big drawback in my opinion.
The biggest drawback lies in the fact that the music is nearly ALL about technicality. There is a distinct lack of expressiveness, emotion, and any kind of message within the music. And that's a major portion of the music.
If you are a big tech/prog fan, I would listen to a couple of the songs and see whether it's your cup of tea. There are some interesting concepts in there, and I've certainly derived enjoyment from the technical side of SA. But, on a whole, I wouldn't recommend a buy.
A Sceptic's Universe Poster
Technical, intense and truly progressive, this album marks the new era of thinking man's metal.Spiral Architect formed in 1993 intent on building upon a genre created by bands like Watchtower, Atheist, Fates Warning, Cynic and Death. Their first
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