Search - Meshuggah :: Catch 33

Definately a fitting album title

KINGEETERAH | 05/09/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Definately different and, like everybody else is saying, it's "not what I expected". I dont really know how to review this but, I'll try my best. Basically its structurally the same as the "I" EP (albeit about 20 mins longer) while still retaining the "NOTHING" style. The compositional difference is that its a more circularly repetetive and, dare I say, more melodic take on the "nothing" sound as well as being rhythmically more linear and even. Now dont be alarmed because its definately still the same complete polyrhythmic insanity (and in some cases even more indecipherably off-time than previous efforts) just not as aggressive with an almost chillingly lifeless mid-tempo vibe. The drums are all programmed using the "Drumkit From Hell" and it definatetly fits the material quite well (even though it sounds only slightly different from the live drum sound). The previously mentioned melodies are usually very ambient and range from hypnotic (in the repetitive riffing), to haunted (in some of the lead guitar passages), to enlightened (mostly in the long dirges of atmospheric guitar). The vocals are totally still in the vein of previous recordings as far as Jens scream, which I feel gets progressively better with every album. However, maintaning the atmospheric feel of the record there are a few passages of spoken word vocals and computer treated whispers that add a bit of depth to the lyrical presentation. The lyrics by the way are the typically awesome, complex, metaphysical passages you'd come to expect from Meshuggah (dealing in this case with the contradictions and dualities of life and death). They lyrics, as well as the more almost "catchy", yet still mindbendingly polyrhythmic structure of this song/album, really do make "Catch 33" a very fitting title. BUT. dont expect to push play and be blown away as with "CHAOSPHERE". If you are expecting something to mosh or dont particularly like Meshuggah and/or metal in general than you really should'nt buy this. This is an avant-garde muscial composition and if you have no sence of conceptualism or artfullness than you should look elsewhere. You really have to sit down with the lyrics and listen to the whole thing in its entirety with a VERY open mind to appreciate this album. That can be a little challenging for some, however once you do its well worth it. It really becomes an uncommonly addictive listen and reveals a different side of Meshuggah's complex and brilliant musical vision. MESHUGGAH IS LORD. HAIL MESHUGGAH!!!"

Where to next?

C. Quinn | County Louth, Eire | 09/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Meshuggah are such a clever band that you often hear fans saying they liked their previous album (whatever it happens to be at the time) better than the new one -- they invariably do something new and challenging that takes a while to get your head around. So at the moment, I still think 'Nothing' is their best album, but I'm prepared to be proved wrong once 'Catch 33' is more firmly embedded in my skull.

Listening to this band is a fantastic journey, and I'd advise new listeners to start with 'Destroy Erase Improve' (their first 'mature' album) and work their way forwards. That way you can hear how the sound has evolved, keeping everything that was essential -- unorthodox time signatures, deep grunting cyclic riffs, jazz inflected lead playing, wrong-footing polyrhythmic drumming -- and ditching EVERYTHING that wasn't (gratuitous solos and blastbeats, for example). The spaces that gaped open on 'Nothing' are wider than ever here, and every riff and break has been pared down to its absolute minimum. It's like watching Mondrian progress from his early pastelly daubs to the ruthless geometric abstraction of his mature painting.



Most importantly, 'Catch 33' is more minimal but no less complex than what went before. If this is the game Meshuggah are playing, you do wonder how far they can take it. But it's always worth sticking around: so far they've surprised and delighted with every release. When there's so much formulaic metal around -- even in the supposedly underground scene -- it does you good to hear a group of real musicians pushing both their own ability and the boundaries of their art.



Oh, and they kick ass too."

Transcendental music

blomp | england | 05/31/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From the very start of its creation 'catch 33' was labelled a complete experiment by the band, a one piece epic which had been on their agenda for a while but due to its ever changing nature had been put on the back burner. Even before people had sampled its content the news that the drums were programmed left fans disgruntled as tomas hakke is widely revered as the most original drummer on the planet. Rest assured though the drums sound as organic as a studio performance and although tomas could easily have performed the album, up until the very end they were still changing its composition therefore it would have taken months just to lay down the drums. For meshuggah it is all about the music not about egos, tomas has nothing to prove and its good to try out new things.

The first thing that struck me after a few listens all the way through is just how much meshuggah have mastered the art of composition. Not one note or passage of music is wasted and all adds up to create an album so tense that you literally have no idea of what is coming next, anything appears possible. 'Catch 33' was designed to be listened to as one piece of music where each track compliments another and flows effortlessly. The album starts off with a huge circular groove which grabs you straight away before jen's distinctive powerful voice adds a menacing and unsettling atmosphere. Throughout this piece meshuggah use repetition in order to create an almost hypnotic quality to it where minutes pass by without notice then suddenly a huge lurching riff will be implanted in the listener's head. Just as you think you have the pace and nature of 'catch 33' figured out 'In death is life' kicks in sounding like the riff from 'rational gaze' on steroids. The pace suddenly changes from tracks 8 through to 13 and showcases some of meshuggah's best riffs to date, i defy anyone not be blown away by the riff at 2:09 in 'dehumanization' which is the sound to a nuclear explosion.

Like with every meshuggah release 'catch 33' isnt afraid to take risks with even a vocoded section in the track 'minds mirrors' bringing yet another suprise. I couldnt review this album without also pointing out how intelligent and thought provoking the lyrics are dealing with the paradoxes of life and death. It adds another dimension to meshuggah's already god like power. They prove yet again that a band can be hyper intelligent aswell as ultra heavy. I've had this album for two weeks and i'm almost addicted to how good it is, it doesnt sound like anything out there and totally original. Therefore i'd recommend this album to anyone who wants to hear something totally compelling and hypnotic in its composition."