Reviews
2006-11-21
There's no denying the technical ability by the guys in tech-death outfit Anata, these guys deliver crushing death riffs with an almost jazz-like sophistication, some serious fusion bass work, and fast technical drumming. The problem is – there are almost no songs in this perfectly played combination.
I cannot fault they can play, and they have some great riffs, opener "Downward Spiral Into Madness" is a fine example of
Meshuggah-like complexity intertwined with more traditional death elements, but for the life of me, I just couldn’t really enjoy the thing, it felt too much like these guys want to impress more than they want to write a decent song.
The band's playing may be enough of an incentive for some people, just listen to the beginning of "The Great Juggler", they can certainly play better than most death bands I know, and the blast-beat there is a real corker, fans of
Cryptopsy will wave their little paws in delight upon hearing it. But again, where's the song? As well played as this is, it felt more like a collection of good riffs with brilliant drums and bass, but with no real song in it.
Metal musicians looking forward to listen to a playing lesson will probably drool all over this, but anyone else should approach with caution.
Alon Miasnikov
