May 24, 2018

Bridear - Helix (Review)

First album of Bridear I did not like and after listening I did not follow this band. But specially for my blog, I still decided to listen and write my opinion about new album. Preview had a bad impression on me - simple patterns were compensated only by smiles. And now I hear the full album.

My Rating: 61/100

Source - cdjapan.co.jp
Since the first album release, five years have passed and progress is noticeable here. They discovered new techniques, new methods. But it's one thing when you insert different methods in your compositions only for quantity and quite another - when you use them correctly. This album is dominated by the first option - there is a lot done right, but there are not enough very many shades and this greatly spoils impression of the album.

After preview, I thought that album would be simple. I can say that I was not mistaken. It's noticeable that girls are trying to portray diversity. For example, tremolo instead of a chord at beginning of 3 tracks. Or a complex riff on 7th string with an industrial synthesizer and barely audible mechanical creaks in 4th track. Or unexpected pinch harmonics in 7th track. But the keyword is "tried." It looks like it was written on old Toyota with a felt-tip pen "Bentley" - no one forbids doing this, but it will clearly not be what is written.

Vocal parts are performed well, except that external processing of the upper range part is noticeable - this indicates a poor control of the top. But vocalist's voice is somewhat unaccustomed. There is noticeable a very large influence of modern pop music in the spirit of AKB48. This is noticeable in vocal parts structure and in vocal techniques. Also it should be noted that here the voice is a coloratura soprano and this is a pleasant detail. Also in 4th track there is extreme vocals. I don't quite understand why it was done this way - extreme style appears only in one track and only in limited segments. Diversity? Diversity could be expressed by other means. So why? I did not hear the answer.

Instrumental parts performed well. Yes, it remains an impression that instrumentalists don't quite understand what they are doing, but this has been said earlier. Maybe because the album was recorded quickly. Maybe, because initially there was a completely different idea. I will never know the answer. Nevertheless, it's worth noting that guitarists always have seven string guitars, but guitarists rarely use seventh string. Approximately the same with a bass player - five strings, but only two are used. The "complexity" of bass lines can not be said. But drummer was pleased. Here, interesting drum patterns - in the basic (for heavy metal) rhythm section, a few minor details were added, which sound good.

This release is excellent only in one thing - it excellently shows that "right" and "good" are not synonymous. I can say that a good band did everything right. But the absence of so many shades significantly spoils the impression of album. For such cases in Russia have the phrase "ate the dog and choked by tail". In general, it's a shame that a band with excellent potential releases such a release. They can do well. You just need to look a little wider.

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