Artist: No Consequence
Title: In the Shadow of Gods
Type: Album
Label: Basick Records
The first thing that is clear when listening to this album is that there are no constraints on ideas and structures. The first track “Ocular Gyro Crisis” sets the tone, and has the smoothness of a ball bouncing around a pinball machine. Some will be put off by this, I’m sure. I was intrigued to hear how the album progressed. This is no background music. The pleasure of it lies in the re-working of structures. There are some “constants” within it though. Above all, it’s technical and dark, aided in large part by deep and dominant drumming and harsh vocals. That is far from the end of it because the rhythm guitar gallops along melodiously above the Death Metal underscore, and there’s also room for the occasional harmony line and moments for reflection. Basically it goes in the direction No Consequence want to take it, but it does all hang together without being uniform or completely anarchic. I can see the comparisons with Architects on the basis of the complexity and structure. As I listened a few more times to “In the Shadow of Gods”, I mentally added Zero Hour, yes definitely Zero Hour but with some occasional clean Hardcore vocals, Omnium Gatherum and Canvas Solaris to the list, and countless others of a technical and progressive orientation.
In amongst it all, there are many compelling moments. I particularly liked “Synaesthesia” which builds up to reach the heights and maintains control with its captivating riff. “Longitudes” and “Latitudes” are funkier in the customary technical framework. There are eleven identifiable tracks but largely this is a relentless assault with well-worked subtleties and layers to keep us engaged.
The response to this album is unlikely to be: “I’m feeling melancholic/dark/happy etc, so I’ll listen to No Consequence”. “In the Shadow of Gods” requires effort. I’d suggest that it’s worth it. The more I listened, the more quality I discovered in it. Most of all, it’s important to keep an open mind. There’s plenty here to be appreciated.
http://www.myspace.com/noconsequence
http://www.basickrecords.com
Andrew Doherty
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