Band Origin: Los Angeles, California, USA
Genre: Progressive / Metalcore
Label: eOne
Running Time: 37 minutes
Release Date: March 8, 2011
Best Part: Sweeeeeeeeeps.
Favorite Tracks: Complex Terms, Faust, Holographic Sight, and Digital Veil
Grade: 4.5
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Digital Veil in 20 words or less:
The return of the classically trained AJ Minette inspired a true return to form, and a monolith of a record for The Human Abstract.
The Band:
The Human Abstract is currently a four member band out of Los Angeles that play a unique brand of progressive metal. Fusing technicality, heavy pounding grooves and classical composition, THA creates tracks that are as heavy handed as they are gentle and melodic. Formed by 3 remaining original members, guitarists Dean Herrera and AJ Minette, and drummer Brent Powell, THA has gone through a number of changes between the release of their phenomenal debut Nocturne and the release of Digital Veil. This included a period where Minette left the band to pursue his musical career away from metal, focusing on his study of classical guitar and composition. When the band asked him on to help produce new material they were working on he ended up getting more involved than planned - leading to his return to the band, and eventually Digital Veil being born.
The Human Abstract's other release include: Nocturne (2006), and Midheaven (2008)
Jay's Take on Digital Veil:
I haven't refrained from speaking my piece about The Human Abstract before, as I had written this little diddy a while back about how Digital Veil was near the top of my Most Wanted list. I could reiterate my point of view on the differences between Nocturne and Midheaven, which lacked a key part of what made the bands sound unique - AJ Minette. But that's now what 365 Days of Metal is about. Sufficed to say, Digital Veil is a grandiose return to form for the band, as well as a huge leap forward. With the return of the tight melodic sweeps and classical technique of Minette, THA also added in a much thicker and heavier background, increased technical prowess from each of its members and a renewed vocal style with the addition of Travis Richter. Despite the fact that Travis left the band at the end of August, with Ryan Devlin of Corelia replacing him, it's the composition and intricacies of the band that make Digital Veil a real breath of fresh air. It manages to balance bone crushing grooves with high flying solos, and subtle classical musings, without creating any type of clash of sounds. In a word, this is a worthy candidate for album of the year on many individuals short lists. Clocking in at 37 minutes it's 10 minutes shorter than their previous releases, but features enough fresh material to warrant multiple playthroughs.
Sample of the Day:
- J
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