Berklee College of Music has had its share of prominent students, most notably being members of Dream Theater. Native Construct boasts the same pedigree but their brand of progressive metal is different from that of Dream Theater. Sure Dream Theater have had SOME influence but bands like Between the Buried and Me have just as much influence on their music. Yet for whatever influences the band has they have (and there are many), they take all of these and create something decidedly unique and interesting.
The orchestration and arrangements on Native Construct’s debut album “Quiet World” are magnificent to say the least. There are so many styles of music incorporated into their brand of metal that it is an achievement just to make it all work as well as they do. Classical, world music, jazz and Queen-like harmonies are all throughout the album. Songs like the opener “Mute” show that the band can write solid melodies and still make the song quite complex. “Come Hell or High Water” shows the band is willing to take things to a stranger place while still being somewhat poppy.
The closing track “Chromatic Aberration” is the only time I can recall a “metal” song using a steel drum solo and a harp solo, with a string section sandwiched in between them! Later in the track there are some “doo wop-wop” vocals that definitely show the Queen influence. Did I mention the use of death vocals too?! This song really shows that “Quiet World” is a no-holds barred, breath of fresh air. Nothing sounds quite like Native Construct and in today’s oversaturated progressive metal marketplace, that is saying a lot.
Progressive metal fans who want something that actually IS progressive need to pick up “Quiet World.” Just when I thought I couldn’t be surprised by new bands, it’s great to know that music like this can still be fresh. Native Construct are immensely talented and they have recorded an absolute piece of art.
