Meshuggah - None (1994)^{Release ID: 2595}

All this time I keep thinking I've completed my Meshuggah reviewing journey when I haven't. I've reviewed all 8 of their studio albums so far, but realized what was missing is the one-track epic EP I. Then after that, I recently realized the importance of one more EP... None! It's clear how important this EP is, as much as some of their later albums, so now it's time to review this little proto-djent offering.

Released in 1994, None marks the beginning of Meshuggah's transitional point. After the dissonant technical thrash of Contradictions Collapse, the band started adding dark progressive groove metal to their sound with a blend of fast thrashy riffing and monstrous mid-paced groove, with one of those elements as each song's basis.

The opening track "Humiliative" is the best example of those elements and a great early hint of the djent sound Meshuggah would build. The relentless tune "Sickening" grinds through Meshuggah's industrial/groove/thrash metal fusion that is hinted in their breakthrough album Destroy Erase Improve (so why is the EP included in the reissue for Contradictions Collapse instead!?). There's weird synth ambience showing up at some point in that song, but I like it.

"Ritual" is a much different song, with vocalist Jens Kidman experimenting with more melodic clean singing, which initially reminds some of Alice in Chains. Then the heavy grooves return with jazzy leads and drumming machinery. The more varied "Gods of Rapture" has startling soloing by guitarist Fredrik Thordendal.

 "Aztec Two-Step" is the most experimental song in the EP, and if you thought there would be a 10-minute epic, you'd be dead wrong. The actual song ends at around 5 and a half minute mark, then after 5 minutes of silence, you would be startled with a short shotgun rhythm at the last second, like at the end of Gaza's debut album.

None marks the first release to have Meshuggah's focus on distinctive drums and interplaying guitars that would define the sound of Destroy Erase Improve and subsequent albums. Riffs and rhythms play a repetitive course while staying varied. There's a bit of a nu metal feel, but thankfully they never stuck to that path. The true Meshuggah style is far more interesting and this EP None starts it all. A strong early highlight before beginning the big buildup in Destroy Erase Improve!

Favorites: "Humiliative", "Sickening", "Gods of Rapture"