During the last few years, the metal scene has been enriched by a decent amount of innovative bands creating technical and diversified music. Unique style and characteristic records helped some of these acts to reach relatively high levels of success and to establish themselves as fixed members of the worldwide metal scene. Nowadays, djent and mathcore are terms metalheads are mostly familiar with thanks to bands like Periphery, Architects or TesseracT; the metalcore pioneers As I Lay Dying and Killswitch Engage have been around for quite a while now. Time is flying, and as stale as it sounds, it's entirely true. Thus, it's not surprising to hear that the next generation of metal is on its way. So, ladies and djentlemen, may I tell you how modern progressive metal sounds like in 2015?
Denmark's Ghost Iris are presenting their debut album "Anecdotes of Science & Soul" which will be released via Prime Collective on 23 February and this record is a good example of how the modern progressive genre is evolving.
While modern prog bands founded in the 2000s drew inspiration from acts like The Dillinger Escape Plan, Meshuggah or Opeth, Ghost Iris are influenced by bands like Periphery, TesseracT, I even hear some Intervals or The Contortionist inspired rhythms and riffing here and there. The band can't deny its idols, especially regarding vocal performance and guitars, but that doesn't have to be a bad thing when it's done well and that's the case here.
Ghost Iris play an interesting mix of modern prog, djent and metalcore elements and their sound is basically consisting of two major elements: Heavy and technical, djent-inspired down-tuned guitars and growling vocals on one hand and catchy harmonic melodies (played by guitars or electronically) and clean singing on the other hand. As a big fan of djent, prog and metalcore, I have to admit that "Anecdotes Of Science & Soul" is kind of exciting. The members sound really talented and although they borrow different musical elements from other bands, they still try to develop an own style and I do believe that Ghost Iris are heading in the right direction.
As opposed to "ordinary" modern bands, Ghost Iris' music doesn't sound as sterile as you would expect to hear. So many bands forget that music is about emotion and not only about technical skills and showing off how many notes you can play in one second. "Anecdotes Of Science & Soul" isn't an intrusive record - it allows you to drift off sometimes and it doesn't require all your concentration like, let's say, a Cilice album, and I think that's Ghost Iris' main forte. Songs like "Influx", "Everlasting Bliss" or "Dreamless State" for example feature nice changing dynamics and wonderful vocals.
I think I'll really have to keep an eye on the Danish band: I believe there is good chance for them to make it big in the future and beyond the prog scene if they keep up the level they began with. "Anecdotes of Science & Soul" is a powerful debut and I still have the feeling that Ghost Iris have only scratched the surface. I'm so looking forward to how they will grow musically in the future!
