Human Abstract, The - Nocturne (2006)^{Release ID: 7795}

I listened to a few The Human Abstract songs before but didn't feel interested enough to really enjoy the band. They're a band that combines metalcore elements with classical influences, mostly in the beautiful chords and acoustic passages. Yeah, that was when I was moving away from the classical-influenced metal I lost passion for...

Nocturne is kind of a metalcore album with primarily Northern European-driven components. The dueling guitar harmonies and rhythms both have active skills combined with sweet melodies, all in a style that reaches out of Between the Buried and Me at the time while exploring the neo-classical grandeur of Symphony X. The band prefers to be more adventurous than safe, which is attempted by a very minimal amount of the bands, thereby emphasizing pivotal directions through roads less traveled.

Already when the first track "Harbringer" plays, the classical acoustic guitar really shines in the intro, sounding like a medieval bard's lute. Then the neo-classical heaviness carries on, featuring a great infectious clean chorus. "Self Portraits of the Instincts" continues the cool neo-classical metalcore mix while having clean choruses with catchy melodies and emo-ish clean vocals in contrast with the strong hardcore growls. The breakdowns are definitely worth headbanging! The title track is filled with impressively perplexing time changes. However, there's painfully clean singing in the middle that don't fit the heaviness ("No wonder here, just an echo resounding") He channels his inner Greg Puciato or Rody Walker better in the solid screams. "Crossing the Rubicon" continues the complex time changes while getting caught in guitar tornadoes.

Then there's the classic acoustic interlude "Sotto Voce". Choral keyboard textures enchant the fast "Mea Culpa", where the group really nails the blend of technical grace. The neo-classical soloing in celestial instrumentation is some of the most epic in this album. The "I failed and I don’t know why!!" breakdown is so d*mn emotional in the vocals. Epic song! Next one "Movement from Discord" once again has catchy clean choruses with unleashed clarity. "Channel Detritus" once again has shining classical guitar in the acoustic passages. Good mix of epic and extreme!

"Polaris" continues those soft acoustic passages and infectious clean choruses. However, the clean chorus starts to get a little hackneyed at this point. In "Echelons and Molotovs", the otherwise ridiculous drum fills are more appropriately placed where there's more speed and bass. "Desiderata" is another pleasant acoustic instrumental with classical guitar. Ending track "Vela, Together We Await the Storm" is an aggressive headbanger with the best guitars you would hear here, both flamenco and electric.

Though Nocturne is really impressive, its style isn't really as mind-blowing as it would've been in 2006. Still there's some fresh air of classical distinction. It's worth checking out if you're up for something a little more artful!

Favorites: Harbringer, Self Portraits of the Instincts, Crossing the Rubicon, Mea Culpa, Channel Detritus, Vela Together We Await the Storm