Allerjen
Garry from SAN PR recently sent us through a copy of Equilibrium, the upcoming album from Manchester based Allerjen. The album is due to be released on the 20th of February 2012 so getting a sneak peak, I thought it only right to try and get word out there for these guys to see how we could help! Having already achieved moments such as opening the Damnation festival, these guys are on the right tracks to the big time, so let’s see how the album sounds!
Opening with Destroyer of Worlds, immediately you’re thrown into a mix of distorted guitars, soaring lead lines and pounding drums, the sound is quite simply massive. Building up into the track, the riffs take control of everything and really hammer home that this is a band with a serious mission. Raw and gravelly vocals come into power the track up to full speed, the drums rolling around in the background giving an almost syncopated feeling to things before kicking into a solid rolling section that is bound to get circle pits a plenty going on. What’s really striking about the track as it powers on is how the band incorporate different sections seamlessly into the track – one minute rolling, the next almost broken down and the next almost syncopated once again. Almost catchy at times, this is one hell of an introduction to a band and one which instils a lot of confidence into what’s to come.
As Treachery Be Thy Name follows on, the theme of different time signatures continues, this time kicking in much faster yet still keeping everything just as perfect and in unison with every other element as before. Another track which is sure to have live crowds moving along, there’s a real funky edge to this track as it grows, the broken down guitar riffs over the solid drumming creates a track which is heavy, funky, melodic and thrashy all at once. Leading into The Process Of Being, the standard laid down so far continues, opening raw and edgy whilst sounding syncopated against the drumming. The bass is kept high in the mix here allowing the track to further develop, becoming a track which once again has all the heaviness of the first but adding in a further dimension which elevates it beyond a simple ‘metal’ stamp. Surprisingly melodic, the chorus section of this track is a real treat to behold, spat vocals, rolling drums, pounding bass and hammering riffs all brought together by a lead line – the whole combination further adding to the already long list of accomplishments so far on this album.
Beyond The Promised Land is another story altogether, shifting back into the unrelenting heaviness of the first track only slowed down adding even more emphasis to the raw vocals and powerful guitar lines. The most striking part of this track though has to be the broken down section just after half way. Suddenly everything seems to break and you’re almost released into a new place, a place filled with soaring guitar lines, harmonies and power – honestly this section is just mind blowing. As the track fades and Disregarding Etiquette kicks in, once again you’re presented with solid riffs on the guitars as the drums roll around and power everything through. The vocals really lead the way here whilst the bass heavy backing track makes sure that you’re still there and still fully engaged. This is another track which is sure to have live crowds moving along with it, the beat set down by the drums will make you move whether you want to or not! My one slight question about the album is the crash (I think…) cymbal in the back ground at times, it’s a little too high in the mix and detracts from the other elements – but to be honest you only really notice it if you’re really listening and trying to find something to pick out!
Hunter follows on, a track which once again smacks you in the face with a hit of distortion and then pulls you with the galloping beat of the drums. The vocals are once again stunning on this track, really pushing everything forward and turning the track into something far beyond simplicity. The whole band seem to work as a solid unit whilst ensuring that each instrument gets a fair chance, what you’re left with is a track where you can hear everything and everything works. The highlight for me on this track has to be the mid-section, led in by a hefty bass line before breaking everything down to its most basic elements – it’s awesome to hear. As if to just make sure you’ve not stopped listening, Achieving Equilibrium follows on and kicks in like a freight train at full speed. Faster, heavier, more raw than before, this is a track which reaffirms the ability of these guys to write tracks which are not only heavy and powerful, but also complex and well written. Testament to this is the backing music here – if you listen to what everything is doing it’s quite incredible, it’s not just a case of having the vocals doing something whilst the music plays, the guitars, bass and drums all form their own track which the vocals back up, truly truly awesome stuff to behold.
Eternal Night kicks in with the same force and pace as before, the guitars initially setting the pace of the track before bringing in the drums and bass to fully evolve this track. This is another track which I think will work amazingly on the live scene, there’s something about the progression and intricacy of it which you know live crowds will embrace. Moving beyond the simple term of ‘metal’, this track is once again incredibly well formed and further demonstrates how able these guys really are. Further compounding this, Humanoid comes into being featuring roaring vocals, a soaring guitar line over solid drums and a bass line which will shake you to your core. The mix on this track is perfect allowing every single element of the band to be heard, something which really makes this a highlight on the album for me. It’s hard to put into words just how accomplished a track this really is, it’s beyond anything you would ever expect from a band who are not more well known, and personally, I think that when people catch onto this one, the band are just going to spiral – this is one you have to listen to.
Finishing the album with Embrace The Divine, straight away you’re blown away by the contrast of raw power against the chilled out strings which finished Humanoid. This track sums everything up perfectly and really leaves you sitting back knowing that what you’ve just heard hasn’t just been an album or a few songs, it’s been an experience which will stay with you and shape how you listen to things from here on. Again adding in elements throughout such as lead snippets or drum fills to keep the track progressing and interesting, this track really is the perfect ending to everything and leaves you reaching for the rewind button to go through it all again.
Allerjen have quite simply blown me away and reaffirmed why I started this site in the first place. This band are producing music which is just mind blowing, and to only give themselves a genre of metal I think undersells what they’re doing. The music is uplifting whilst retaining the sense of heaviness throughout, the tracks are well written and the performance on the album is quite simply stunning. I cannot wait to see how this album is received once it’s released as personally, this has to be one of the highlights I’ve heard since starting things. I suppose all I can really say is two things – 1). Where can I get a hard copy of this album? 2). Where can I see these guys live, as if they can back this album up on the live scene then my god, this is a serious winner.
To find out more about Allerjen, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Opening with Destroyer of Worlds, immediately you’re thrown into a mix of distorted guitars, soaring lead lines and pounding drums, the sound is quite simply massive. Building up into the track, the riffs take control of everything and really hammer home that this is a band with a serious mission. Raw and gravelly vocals come into power the track up to full speed, the drums rolling around in the background giving an almost syncopated feeling to things before kicking into a solid rolling section that is bound to get circle pits a plenty going on. What’s really striking about the track as it powers on is how the band incorporate different sections seamlessly into the track – one minute rolling, the next almost broken down and the next almost syncopated once again. Almost catchy at times, this is one hell of an introduction to a band and one which instils a lot of confidence into what’s to come.
As Treachery Be Thy Name follows on, the theme of different time signatures continues, this time kicking in much faster yet still keeping everything just as perfect and in unison with every other element as before. Another track which is sure to have live crowds moving along, there’s a real funky edge to this track as it grows, the broken down guitar riffs over the solid drumming creates a track which is heavy, funky, melodic and thrashy all at once. Leading into The Process Of Being, the standard laid down so far continues, opening raw and edgy whilst sounding syncopated against the drumming. The bass is kept high in the mix here allowing the track to further develop, becoming a track which once again has all the heaviness of the first but adding in a further dimension which elevates it beyond a simple ‘metal’ stamp. Surprisingly melodic, the chorus section of this track is a real treat to behold, spat vocals, rolling drums, pounding bass and hammering riffs all brought together by a lead line – the whole combination further adding to the already long list of accomplishments so far on this album.
Beyond The Promised Land is another story altogether, shifting back into the unrelenting heaviness of the first track only slowed down adding even more emphasis to the raw vocals and powerful guitar lines. The most striking part of this track though has to be the broken down section just after half way. Suddenly everything seems to break and you’re almost released into a new place, a place filled with soaring guitar lines, harmonies and power – honestly this section is just mind blowing. As the track fades and Disregarding Etiquette kicks in, once again you’re presented with solid riffs on the guitars as the drums roll around and power everything through. The vocals really lead the way here whilst the bass heavy backing track makes sure that you’re still there and still fully engaged. This is another track which is sure to have live crowds moving along with it, the beat set down by the drums will make you move whether you want to or not! My one slight question about the album is the crash (I think…) cymbal in the back ground at times, it’s a little too high in the mix and detracts from the other elements – but to be honest you only really notice it if you’re really listening and trying to find something to pick out!
Hunter follows on, a track which once again smacks you in the face with a hit of distortion and then pulls you with the galloping beat of the drums. The vocals are once again stunning on this track, really pushing everything forward and turning the track into something far beyond simplicity. The whole band seem to work as a solid unit whilst ensuring that each instrument gets a fair chance, what you’re left with is a track where you can hear everything and everything works. The highlight for me on this track has to be the mid-section, led in by a hefty bass line before breaking everything down to its most basic elements – it’s awesome to hear. As if to just make sure you’ve not stopped listening, Achieving Equilibrium follows on and kicks in like a freight train at full speed. Faster, heavier, more raw than before, this is a track which reaffirms the ability of these guys to write tracks which are not only heavy and powerful, but also complex and well written. Testament to this is the backing music here – if you listen to what everything is doing it’s quite incredible, it’s not just a case of having the vocals doing something whilst the music plays, the guitars, bass and drums all form their own track which the vocals back up, truly truly awesome stuff to behold.
Eternal Night kicks in with the same force and pace as before, the guitars initially setting the pace of the track before bringing in the drums and bass to fully evolve this track. This is another track which I think will work amazingly on the live scene, there’s something about the progression and intricacy of it which you know live crowds will embrace. Moving beyond the simple term of ‘metal’, this track is once again incredibly well formed and further demonstrates how able these guys really are. Further compounding this, Humanoid comes into being featuring roaring vocals, a soaring guitar line over solid drums and a bass line which will shake you to your core. The mix on this track is perfect allowing every single element of the band to be heard, something which really makes this a highlight on the album for me. It’s hard to put into words just how accomplished a track this really is, it’s beyond anything you would ever expect from a band who are not more well known, and personally, I think that when people catch onto this one, the band are just going to spiral – this is one you have to listen to.
Finishing the album with Embrace The Divine, straight away you’re blown away by the contrast of raw power against the chilled out strings which finished Humanoid. This track sums everything up perfectly and really leaves you sitting back knowing that what you’ve just heard hasn’t just been an album or a few songs, it’s been an experience which will stay with you and shape how you listen to things from here on. Again adding in elements throughout such as lead snippets or drum fills to keep the track progressing and interesting, this track really is the perfect ending to everything and leaves you reaching for the rewind button to go through it all again.
Allerjen have quite simply blown me away and reaffirmed why I started this site in the first place. This band are producing music which is just mind blowing, and to only give themselves a genre of metal I think undersells what they’re doing. The music is uplifting whilst retaining the sense of heaviness throughout, the tracks are well written and the performance on the album is quite simply stunning. I cannot wait to see how this album is received once it’s released as personally, this has to be one of the highlights I’ve heard since starting things. I suppose all I can really say is two things – 1). Where can I get a hard copy of this album? 2). Where can I see these guys live, as if they can back this album up on the live scene then my god, this is a serious winner.
To find out more about Allerjen, check out their Facebook page HERE.