[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0qfxrDQdN4[/youtube]
Metal Insider contributor Anthony Maisano is listening to a different metal album that was released on that day every day this year. Today, it’s the self titled album from Candlemass side project Abstrakt Algebra. The album was released on April 15th, 1995.
This is a Candlemass side project, formed by Leif Edling after Candlemass disbanded for the first time. Mats Leven is on vocal duties for this album, and he is AWESOME. He has such a unique voice, power, and passion. This is a strange album. It has strange breaks and sounds, and…strange everything, pretty much. Riffs, vocals, and a lot of different time signatures are all there, but expect to raise an eyebrow once or twice listening to the album. The title track is easily my favorite track, after the long, odd intro. The chorus has some amazing screams by Leven, and even reminds me of some power metal choruses. “Who What Where When” is a 15 minute epic. It’s one of my favorite tracks on the album. The riffs are great, and it’s intense. The song gets a bit jammy for people who dislike that, but it’s a great long track.
The bad? It’s weird. There are a lot of times where the songs seem to be all over the place. The song structure itself is very busy on all of these tracks. Sometimes it works; sometimes it just leaves me a little bit confused by what just happened. I also think the guitar tone is a bit low. On an album like this, it could have been a bit louder, and a bit heavier.
Favorite Tracks: “Abstrakt Algebra,” “Who What Where When,” “Shadowplay.”
This is a good album overall. When it comes to Candlemass side projects, I do prefer Krux to Abstrakt Algebra, but as long as you’re okay with a really strange, but interest song structure, this album does the job. It shows how mulch-faceted Leif is, and that he can still make great bands that aren’t Candlemass. I would absolutely recommend anyone who likes progressive stuff, doom metal, or weird stuff to listen to this album. Just know what you’re getting into beforehand. They make fake math sound so awesome.
