Veil of Maya
False Idol
(Sumerian Records)
False Idol makes for the sixth studio album from Chicago’s very own Veil of Maya. Following in the vein of their previous release, Matriarch, the album plays out in a glorious display of djent presentation, along with wisps of melody and clean singing. The singing hiccups at times, coming into the work there and then where it doesn’t fit best. However, the material is able to find a balance with all it shares, and while it may not be the band’s strongest material, False Idol is still able to unfold as an entertaining blend of djent and elegant flows.
After a brief intro the record sets things in with the song “Fracture”. Opening on a chaotic choppy blend of guitar and drum work, the vocals erupt in growls that fit smoothly into the dark and eerie instrumentation. It’s when the track lifts into this airy chorus section with the clean singing where the material loses the rhythm it had going for it. The part doesn’t necessarily feel forced, but it feels out of place, given the lingering vibe of the instrumentation. It comes at a great contrast with the dark and tense feelings of the instrumentals when played alongside such a light vocal inflection. All this being said, there are plenty of times though where the singing truly aids in the material of False Idol. This first takes place in the following track “Doublespeak”, for the instrumental flow lightens up the mood, creating a happy middle ground for both vocal styles to play out. In particular, the chorus section where the singing really takes over, is sincerely beautiful with a rising aura of radiance as the drumming pumps away. The guitar tone acts as a lingering heaviness during the verses, shifting into a delicate composition come the chorus. “Overthrow” follows this formula, presenting another moment when the band comes together to give their tightest musicianship. “Whistleblower” turns down the notch on intensity found in the previous tracks, focusing on a funky bass and guitar rhythm, using the singing element in a minimal capacity.
While the composition involving the clean signing doesn’t always fit in at times, it’s important to note that the musicianship in general sounds good. There isn’t any real compliant with the sound or style at play, for everyone really sounds good. False Idol isn’t the band’s more technically impressive work; the material still sounds fine (leaning more towards an atmospheric catchiness rather than pure heaviness). An example of this idea is in “Echo Chamber”, with the flow of the instrumentation (even if the guitar uses a chugging effect at times), is fairly airy, not packing as much force into the material. “Graymail” also follows this sound, primarily centering on this playful wildness in the material, with the guitar lashing out in shrieks there and then. However, the material grows in the song’s progression, reaching levels where the drum beat intensifies and the guitar work whips about in hectic fashion. This is also another case where the singing fits into the chorus. “Citadel” highlights one of the album’s best strengths (and something listeners will have already picked up on upon reaching this later track). For while False Idol doesn’t blast away with the band’s heaviest material, the use of djent, drumming, and bass work create this meditative-like flow. The sound makes for this awesome blend of heaviness that doesn’t pound away with brutality, but casts this radiant flow that whirls around the listener’s ear with bursts of color and emotion.
False Idol is a different kind of heaviness found in metal. Even though the record stutters at times with some iffy combinations in the clean singing, it finds its footing in the overall presentation. The musicianship is with no flaws, and even if it isn’t Veil of Maya’s most expansive work, it still makes for a good time. False Idol steps away from all-out traditional metal heaviness, and weaves in elegant brushes of emotion and light tones. The music uses the traditional elements of guitar chugs, bass, and drums to aid in forming this radiant flow that pumps away with melody. False Idol is an album the band can be proud of, knowing that it exudes a clean production, and gives off an enchanting sound.
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