Meshuggah – Koloss (2012)

After the excellent “ObZen”, Meshuggah returns with their latest epic “Koloss”. In this the release not only the band builds on previous work, but it also improves their sound in a manner that makes it more accessible to people and still equally technical and brilliant. Pummeling through 10 tracks of brilliant music, this is a release that shows how well the band has matured and how much better they are than the rest of their clones.

Opening with the ‘slower paced’ “I am Colossus”, the band makes their signature sound present since the opening minute. The brilliantly crafted drums, crazy rhythms, and strong vocals immediately identifies the band, and delivers a very strong opening track. Things start picking up with “The Demon’s Name Is Surveillance”, “Do Not Look Down”, and “Behind the Sun”, all songs filled with polyrhythmic structures and very interesting elements that makes the unique and different from each other.

Other riff intensive tracks like “The Hurt That Finds You First” showcase the band’s ability to switch gears and deliver music in different ways. “Marrow” features a darker side to it and with some very low guitars and a thicker and more doom-ish atmosphere with some craziness in-between. Things keep getting better and better as we near the end with tracks like “Swarm” and “Demiurge”, two very well conceived tracks that will surely blow you away.

Just before everything is said and done, “Koloss” comes to an end with the surprising moody instrumental “The Last Vigil”. In general, this release is one of the best that Meshuggah has ever produced. This album also continues the band’s musical evolution and shows that they can still keep things fresh while maintaining their own signature sound. We strongly recommend this release to any fan of the band and of Technical Metal.

Release: March 23rd, 2012

Country: Sweden