This odd EP comes from a trio using drums, bass, guitar, and synths to create a strange blend of atmospheric metal that sometimes has elements of modern black metal or jazzy sort of experimentalism, and while a bit crude and underdeveloped here, I really like a lot of the writing and think this band could do some incredible work. The biggest problem, aside from a few overly quirky areas that just don't make sense, is the recording. The drums, which sound fairly good (clear and natural, though understandably a little bit raw), dominate the mix big time, and too often employ unnecessary blasting beats that further overpower the other elements of the musical atmospheres. In fact, the guitars are generally the quietest element of the mix, followed by the synths or occasional samples. The tones aren't bad, they just need cleaning up, more clarity and overall force. The mix is my biggest complaint. Take for instance the clean passages in "III", which are overshadowed almost completely by blasting percussive patterns. I believe this band is Norwegian, and many of their more discordant chord phrasings and such would definitely imply such, as other bands from that country have indeed treaded similar ground in the past. It definitely works effectively in instrumental form, the band just needs to hone their craft a bit more. The ridiculous pseudo pornographic sample that starts "IV", for instance, is a complete waste and bears no relevance to the atmospheres of the music on this disc. Also, many of the tracks are underdeveloped at three minutes or less. Even the four- to five-minute pieces feel a little underworked, so I think the band should really take what they're doing and apply more focus and direction to the strengths of how these riffs work in an instrumental context. Often there are too many quick shifts that are a little jarring, and the more emotional or melodic atmospheric (or borderline spacey) edge doesn't get its due attention. The "bonus" disc, which is actually longer than the core material, contains four electronic based tracks that are heavy on the droning ambient synths and dance-like programmed beats. To be totally honest the songs on this disc are utter crap in my opinion. The final two are a bit darker and more streamlined, but still too much like less polished dance types of music or something. Not at all as interesting as the six pieces from "Apoplexy in Six Parts". The discs come housed in a slim DVD sized case with a black and brown insert with a few illustrations and minimal text. It looks pretty plain, it would've looked better were it black/brown ink on brown paper, but it looks like a color xerox on white paper and that gives it a less professional look. Also, for some reason the bonus CD-R is labeled in marker, whereas the main CD-R actually has printing on the face of the disc - the marker, too, is a bit unprofessional to me. The somewhat crude presentation coupled with a senseless and bland bonus disc stack up against a competent but still flawed core for this release. Their overall musicianship is in place, so I'd love to hear a more developed and mature set of songs in the vein of "Apoplexy in Six Parts", but this particular set of material isn't doing too much for me.
[Beauty and Pain]
Running time - 38:55, Tracks: 10
[Notable tracks: they all have their ups and downs, but the "bonus" material is practically worthless]
Beauty and Pain - http://www.beautyandpain.com
