Animals As Leaders, Animals As Leaders

Posted on 31st Jul 09 by Jonathan Keane | 1

Instrumental metal and rock is enjoying a renaissance lately. This is somewhat of a golden age for instrumental bands, recognition and even mainstream success has arisen despite some people’s feelings of boredom – “wa wah you can’t sing along”, ah go sit in the corner!

Countless instrumental bands are now getting the respect and admiration they so rightly deserve. Pelican have changed expectations of what a rock band should sound like. Mogwai have well…. Oh what’s that? Three sold out nights in The Academy? Meanwhile there are bands like Scale The Summit and Dysrhythmia placing our jaws firmly on the ground. Ireland won’t fall behind either; And So I Watch You From Afar, Parhelia and God Is An Astronaut (all adored on this very site) have continually blown us away. Even drone overlords Earth are playing bigger venues opposed to those dingy dives (though some still remain).

Whether it’s crushing riffs or dizzying melodic crescendos, there’s a consistently astonishing balance between musical technicality and gorgeous aural aesthetics

Now, let me introduce you to Animals As Leaders.

When techy hardcore outfit Reflux fell apart, guitarist Tosin Abasi took up an offer from Prosthetic Records to write and record a solo album. Experimental, progressive instrumental outfit Animals As Leaders are a band in many respects but is essential the solo work of Abasi. Though, Javier Reyes (guitar) and Chebon Littlefield (bass and syths) have been recruited for live duties.

Now, to start off Tosin Abasi is a sight or sound rather, to behold. What we have here is a guitarist that is so sublimely talented that it would be a crying shame for his gifts to be not heard by everyone.

Like any prog album Animals As Leaders boasts a plethora of intricate influences. But, particularly that of the jazzy kind with opener Tempting Time, here Abasi commences the breath-taking widdling that rings throughout the entire listen.

Then some classic prog rock influences, most evidently Yes, rear their head on Soraya to a soothing effect. This album is an interesting concoction in how it merges fragile melodies with some heaving riffs.

On Impulse pleasingly melds guitars and electronics. It eventually hits a delicate and ethereal ending, the track is easy listening despite the occasional heavy passages. Also, Behaving Badly lays claim to so many swooning rhythms it’s nearly intimidating. The whole thing drifts relaxingly from start to finish.

Animals As Leaders leaves the listener bathing in a pool of complex and engrossing sounds, it deserves your attention

For the majority of this album’s fifty minutes Abasi shreds, shreds, shreds! But whether it’s crushing riffs or dizzying melodic crescendos, there’s a consistently astonishing balance between musical technicality and gorgeous aural aesthetics.

For CAFO the drums punish while the ever present jazz influences cavort riotously. It’s one of the heaviest moments on the record. Abasi clearly has a penchant for BIG climaxes and they’re here on CAFO, with a drool worthy solo. Meanwhile electronics and clean riffing sway on Inamorata. The record continues on this path through to the poignant closer Song Of Solomon.

For a debut record this is quite impressive. Animals As Leaders leaves the listener bathing in a pool of complex and engrossing sounds, it deserves your attention.

Drop-d Rating: 8/10

Animals As Leaders

Tags: Academy, And So I Watch You From Afar, Animals As Leaders, Dysrhythmia, Earth, god is an astronaut, Javier Reyes, mogwai, Parhelia, pelican, Prosthetic Records, scale the summit, Tosin Abasi, Yes