THE HUMAN ABSTRACT’S “PATTERNS” MAKES ME A SICK MAN, A WEAKENED MAN
I think I’ve heard slightly less than half of The Human Abstract’s The Digital Veil, and not only was that enough to assure me that it’s going to be great, but it was enough to make me think the band may have made that rarest of gems — a metal album that non-metal heads can appreciate. My theory is based on that fact that, you ignore the screaming vocals, what the band is playing on Veil is basically classical music; I believe that you could, quite literally, have an orchestra play these songs instead of a rock group, and the music would translate perfectly. I mean, you’ve been reading THA guitarist A.J. Minette’s “Abstract Theroy” column, right? “That guy knows his shit” would be the understatement of the decade. These aren’t songs; they’re metallurgic mini-symphonies.
And if “Faust,” the first song they un-Veiled (sorry, couldn’t resist), didn’t convince you that I speak the truth, then “Patterns,” the latest song released, oughta do the trick.
No joke, I have now been sitting here listening to this same song on repeat for the last twenty-something minutes, and the only way a single song can hold my attention for such an extended period of time when is when it’s a perfect fusion of composition, songwriting, and technique as this is. “Patterns” is so intricate, it’s more or less impossible to fully appreciate it after a single listen — so it’s a damn good thing that it’s also just a catchy fucking song. And emotional. I can’t quite make out all of vocalist Travis Richter’s lyrics, but I know that he’s cold at night whenever he’s alone, and I know that this tune sure is making my heart hurt. And if a song makes me sad, I pretty much always know that it must be good song, ’cause I’m a diagnosed sociopathic with borderline schizophrenic tendencies, and I ain’t felt no sadness since my daddy made me play Sophie’s Choice with my baby sister and my pet turtle in 1989. (Baby Sister lost.)
I’m saying I like this song.
Go to Facebook and tell the world you love The Human Abstract to give “Patterns” a listen. I will totally fart in your eye if you don’t like this song.
The Digital Veil comes out March 8 on eOne, the band’s new label. They’re doing a tour with Darkest Hour and some other bands starting next month; get dates here.
-AR
