Between the Buried and Me – Automata I
Album Review by Adam McCann
Sumerian Records 2018
Another Progressive Tour de Force from Between the Buried and Me
Between the Buried and Me (BTBAM) are a bit of an odd band; the musical styles that flow from the them on paper should not work, initially leading to assumptions that it would be one huge disharmony. However, the elements of progressive metal, metalcore and mathcore, before adding a pinch of thrash and technical death metal. However, it does work and with BTBAM, it works really well.
‘Automata I’ is the band’s latest release and as expected with the title, the first part of BTBAM’s next ambitious project, the band are no stranger to odd concepts throughout their albums and their latest offering is guaranteed to keep you second guessing. As an album ‘Automata I’ is typically BTBAM, it clinical and sharp, yet at points has the drifting melancholy of Smashing Pumpkins and this is shown to perfection with ‘House Organ’.
From the strong intro hook of ‘Condemned to the Gallows’ and the progressive powerhouse beast that is the outro of ‘Blot’. Moreover, it is the albums almost centrepiece, ‘Yellow Eyes’ which steals the limelight. ‘Yellow Eyes’ is a progressive metal tour de force and through some phenomenal drumming, odd time signatures and excellent twin guitar work, it will allude to fans of King Crimson, whilst the big keyboard sound is certain to tweak the interest of fans of Rush, Dream Theater and even Asia.
‘Automata I’ has plenty of to offer both long term fans, fans who like to dip in and out and to those who have just discovered the band, ‘Automata I’ will quickly get you up to date on BTBAM.
Rating : 81/100
MHF Magazine/Adam McCann
