Search - Leprous :: Tall Poppy Syndrome

Originality meets tried and true

Irishking | Cherry Hil, NJ | 06/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Who says bands cannot mimic their predecessors without adding something unique, and fresh of their own? Some bands garner comparisons to Dream Theater, especially when they are considered in the "progressive metal" sub-category of metal. While Leprous really cannot be compared to Dream Theater, they are cousins in the sub-category of prog metal, even though listening to both of them will undoubtedly result in contrasting descriptions. Who Leprous does borrow sounds from are an amalgam of a few great prog bands, most notably Opeth and Porcupine Tree. Many young bands aspire to the levels of their idols, and may use their idols sound in their music. Whether or not bands find this insulting or inspiring is irrelevant; comparisons will always be made to other bands, and even so, it gives new listeners a template they can follow to familiarize themselves with the new band.



In any case, Leprous is more than just bits and pieces of other bands; they certainly have their own sound and an unique formula for creating amazing music. Guitars lace their music with catchy riffs, while the keyboardist tickles the ivory in an amazing fashion. If any comparisons to Dream Theater were to be made, it would be the equal skill in performing with their instruments. The lead singer, who also performs on the keys, has a multifaceted voice that can go from soft and relaxing to sheer brutal screams. Death metal vocals are found in small parts in one song. The production quality is certainly top notch for such a new band.



Overall, listening to new bands like Leprous reminds me why I simply no longer listen to the mainstream garbage that pollutes my ears from radio stations. While most mainstream acts produces maybe one good album, then proceed to produce consecutive albums that usually contain one or two decent songs, and the rest is filler garbage, bands like Leprous provide quality throughout their entire album. Hopefully, with this first remarkable release, they will stick to it and continue to release quality albums in the future."

Awe-inspiring progressive metal album

Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 04/10/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tall Poppy Syndrome is the second album from Norwegian progressive metal band Leprous, and is the band's first release since signing to Sensory Records. Sensory has an impressive track record when it comes to discovering cutting edge progressive metal bands, but they found something quite special with Leprous.



I suppose you could compare Leprous to a pair of fairly well known Norwegian progressive metal bands - Winds and Age of Silence - but that doesn't really do justice to just how...moving...an album like Tall Poppy Syndrome really is. It's as progressive and avant-garde as either band, but unlike those bands, Leprous' "metallness" is never in doubt and they just seem more alive and vital than their peers. This is not a power metal band with a lot of keyboard solos, nor is Leprous another insipid Dream Theater wannabe. This is unconventional metal that combines precision musicianship, intricate melodies, a uniquely Scandinavian sense of soul-crushing melancholy, and an extreme metal ferocity that's unleashed at just the right moments. Think Winds, Age of Silence, Opeth, Katatonia and perhaps Between the Buried and Me. Tall Poppy Syndrome recalls each of these bands, but sounds like none of them exactly.



In terms of musicianship, the members of Leprous all pass the prog metal proficiency test with flying colors. What's nice is that they didn't have to resort to a bunch of 10-minute instrumentals to do so. The technical wizardry they employ is all in service to fully-actualized songs and the cohesive album as a whole. There are some incredible guitar solos though, and the keyboard work...let's just say it's not at all surprising that Einar Solberg was chosen to support black metal icons Emperor. As impressive as the musicianship may be, it's the vocals that really push Tall Poppy Syndrome ahead of the pack. It has a swirling mix of emotional clean vocals and tortured extreme metal growling/screaming that goes well beyond the Soilwork "screamed verse/clean chorus" template, and some insane vocal harmonies courtesy of guitarists Tor Suhrke and Oystein Landsverk.



If you're less than thrilled, or even flat-out bored, with the state of progressive metal these days, and you have an open mind regarding the use of extreme metal elements, you really must experience Leprous. It really is a moving and unforgettable album, and was enough to restore this skeptic's faith in the genre.



PS - Leprous is playing at this year's ProgPower USA festival. I can't wait to see if they can pull this off live."