Artist: Adimiron
Title: K2
Type: Album
Label: Bakerteam Records

I didn’t know this band before listening to this album but having read their history, it would seem they have developed their style during the 12 years of their existence. I had a very pleasant surprise listening to “K2”. The general style is melodic and progressive Death/Thrash Metal with plenty going on in the background and strong structures. I saw similarities with Darkane in the vocals and the ominous and heightened tension which runs through the album. “Red Condition”, which starts like a machine, is particularly relentless and disturbing. I also detected Opeth-like rhythms and patterns. On tracks like “Where Nothing Changes”, the style changes and the rhythm gets in your head. The mellower “Passenger” recalls “Damnation”. The Opeth link is present also through Jens Bogren, who worked with the band and mixed and mastered this album. Playing with sound is a feature which is exploited well and adds great interest. “K2” is not however a copy of others and Italian band Adimiron show that they are capable of creating their own shapes, patterns and moods. The album’s core theme is the concept of a man going through a search of his inner self, and the band do this in a number of deep and dark ways.

Each track has its own structure and where most tracks are dark, and some, such as “To Whom It May Concern” which features Annihilator’s Dave Radden, are straighter than others, there is much richness here. Underlying each track is a colourful rhythm and there are many twists, turns and developments with tracks often ending in a state of wanting us to hear more. I would single out three tracks for particular praise. First “Where Nothing Changes” is distinguished for its all-round strength and sophistication of movement. Quiet tones turn to Death growls, and the exciting and insistent rhythm is irresistible. “By contrast “Passenger” is full of feeling. The mellow and exotic guitar work cranks up in common with most tracks on the album. Then “Above the Rest” is equally exotic but a typically dark and deep rhythm strikes out in the background. The breadth and sparkle would share a place with Riverside. But mellowness is a relatively small part of “K2” which breathes on engaging riffs, constant beats and dark and harsh atmospheres. The last three tracks are a mix of darkness and brutality. The last track “Thou Walk Eternal” surprised me at first as I wouldn’t have expected such a downbeat song, especially after the flamboyance which has gone before. But mid-track, it takes off and it came as no surprise that the album ends with deep, punishing, psychedelic sounds.

“Stylish” as a word to describe things Italian is a bit of a cliché but I have to say it applies here. This is a great Metal album by a group of skilled and thoughtful musicians who know how to achieve great impact through the layering of sounds and variation of styles. Each track on “K2” is individually sculptured. As an album I believe its qualities will appeal to a lot of people, so long as it gets the exposure which it deserves.

http://www.adimiron.org

http://www.myspace.com/adimironcrew

Andrew Doherty

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