By: Aaron Pickford
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 5/06/2012
Label: Translation Loss
The record has some of the most awe inspiring, truly breathtaking guitar work and is every shred heads fantasy. The musicianship is immense, think Botch meets Burst meets The Dillinger Escape Plan, then you’re getting halfway close to the superior quality of this record.
‘Parallels CD//DD track Listing
1). Like Whiskey at 11 am... (3:55)
2). Shit is the Business We're In (1:53)
3). Tax Fraud(3:01)
4). Untitled 1 (0:43)
5). Savant of Scum 2:28)
6). Devil is Double is Deuce (2:26)
7). Simulated Encounters with God (2:46)
8). Untitled 2 1:27)
9). On Accidental Purpose(3:16)
10). The Gravel in Our Guts (4:43)
2). Shit is the Business We're In (1:53)
3). Tax Fraud(3:01)
4). Untitled 1 (0:43)
5). Savant of Scum 2:28)
6). Devil is Double is Deuce (2:26)
7). Simulated Encounters with God (2:46)
8). Untitled 2 1:27)
9). On Accidental Purpose(3:16)
10). The Gravel in Our Guts (4:43)
Heikousen is:
Dave Grossman | Vocals
Josh Mahesh | Guitars
Steve Dever | Bass
Dan Dalton | Drums
Josh Mahesh | Guitars
Steve Dever | Bass
Dan Dalton | Drums
The Review:
Sometimes with specific record labels, we know as music fans that we are in safe hands when it comes to the quality of bands and releases from them. Having reviewed the stunning album by Generation of Vipers, I was excited to get my grubby mitts on the next release from the brilliant Translation Loss label.
Despite having a release date of June 5th, it has taken me up until now to review this debut album from Heikousen. Was it worth the wait? Absolutely!! Heikousen have quite possibly released the quintessential tech / progressive metal album of the year! The record has some of the most awe inspiring, truly breathtaking guitar work and is every shred heads fantasy. The musicianship is immense, think Botch meets Burst meets The Dillinger Escape Plan, then you’re getting halfway close to the superior quality of this record. Something which is parallel may relate to something having the property of being analogous to something else, however let us be clear Heikousen have produced something which is genuinely unique and unparalleled, radically distinctive and without equal. How's that for starters?
‘Parallels’ is full of Botch esque, discordant noise, with violent roars and a lashing of intricate guitar fills reminding me of much missed band The Fall of Troy at times. Everything on the record is tight, intricate and aggressive. Vocally, Dave Grossman (Rosetta) is a powerful front man, however for me the guitar fireworks from Josh Mahesh, is what defines this record. He is every inch the guitar hero, hell if Eddie Van Halen played in a progressive hardcore band, they'd probably sound like this. The musicianship is just exemplary and is played at such a blistering pace. Hell you're gonna need whiskey at 11am to cope with this aural battering.
Having wiped away the whiskey residue from your lips, shit hits the fan, Heikousen continue to bombard you with the mother load of dissonant destruction, and this record is the Hunter S Thompson of metal. Completely gonzo, with its bizarre; unconventional guitar histrionics, the rhythm section tearing it up with the syncopated guitar, bass and drum lines into a stunning slapped bass solo. This is progressive hardcore metal with a side order of Primus. We're subjected to the dominating flurry of bass and drums, immeasurable guitar trickery and the unadulterated fury of the vocals. There is nothing deceptive about this record, everything is played with virtuosic ability, stunning guitar flurries, blast beats, you name it, and this record delivers in spades. What's more, the guitar solos appears to have elements of neo-classical influences of say, just about every Shrapnel Records guitar hero of the late 80's and 90's.
The three instrumental tracks, "Untitled", "Untitled 2" & "Simulated Encounters with God" are the perfect segue between the wanton destruction of the math core synaptic assault. Ambient passages and acoustic strings demonstrate that these guys are not just a band that have one trick up their sleeves and further exemplifies what a talented band they really are. This juxtaposition is also typified by the stunning vocal work by Dave Grossman on the track On Accidental Purpose which adds further depth and texture to the album.
‘Parallels’ is unashamedly heavy and a technically brilliant record. This record will bitch slap that Djent smile from your face. These guys are no imitators, but trend setters, hopefully for many albums to come. I for one cannot wait to see what they offer up next! Stunning work guys.
