First Impressions
Oh yeah, this is gonna be a journey I'm going to thoroughly enjoy.
There are three things I know about Leprous coming into this marathon. One, Einar is amazing singer. Two, Baard is constantly praised as an amazing drummer. Three, apparently the order that was chosen for this marathon was not an ideal one.
The reason for this is because Leprous seems to have followed the path of most prog metal bands. Going soft after a while.
Well, I have a little secret that might shock you all. I honestly don't care. If the music is good, I will show up and I will love it. Be it heavy or soft.
And my goodness. This album was an incredible start.
This is nothing like what I was expecting from what is categorized as a progressive metal band. This is so soft, so lovely, so dramatic without being heavy, it's pretty incredible.
I'd barely call the sound of this album metal. And yet, I can absolutely see where these guys fit in, and why they are as big as they are.
There are so many ideas in this album, so many different combinations of different sounds and instruments. You'd think an album this slow and calm would feel drab, but it's the complete opposite. It feels lush, full of life.
Einar's vocals are the absolute highlight here. They make every single soar incredibly high. You can absolutely tell he's holding back during the softer parts, and that makes it so impactful when he does belt out or go super high.
Another highlight for me is... not really a singular element? More of a group of elements that achieves one thing that I love. Every single little effect, synth note, string arrangement.
The brass in Running Low and Out Of Here, the strings in Have You Ever?, the beautiful choir-like backing vocals in On Hold. The super dramatic horns at the end of Nighttime Disguise. Every song has extra elements that add so much depth and richness to the sound.
Let's go over some of my favorite songs and moments
Running Low honestly took a few listens for me to really get into. It was a little jarring and a little too wacky for my tastes at first. But now I absolutely love it. It's got such a fun jazzy groove and the backing vocal melodies are honestly just so fun.
Out Of Here is the first example of the typical structure of the songs in this album. A very long and slow buildup, with an incredible payoff. The melodies of the chorus are just so great, so simple and majestic.
And the fact that not even the first chorus gives you a release from the buildup is really smart. They really make you wait for the release. By the time the second chorus hits, it's just so damn good.
Have You Ever? is probably the most surprising song of the album to me. It really reminded of something Owen Pallet would do. The way the gorgeous strings will come in just for a few seconds at a time to really compliment and add to the main melodies, it's genius.
All right, but now is where we get serious. The back half of this album is an absolute beast.
We start with The Shadow Side. Which I would say is the most friendly to my understanding of prog metal. This is just a sound I think everyone loves. A super catchy chorus, strings that make everything grand, and that solo at the end? The way this song built to it reminded me of something The Pinneaple Thief would do.
On Hold... This song hit me like a truck. Everything about it is just an absolute gut punch. The lyrics are just general enough for most people to be able to reflect their own struggles. But pointed enough for them to still be powerful. For me, it's that feeling of fear that nothing will change or get better, and even worse, the feeling of almost being okay with it. I know that feeling, and it definitely hit for me.
The music also reflects this perfectly. Once again we have a song that builds and builds. And oh my goodness. When that chorus hits I felt something shift in my soul. Einar's voice is incredible. His high notes are not only unbelievable. It conveys pain so well while still being so pretty.
Speaking of which, the next song is Castaway Angels. If On Hold was a cry of pain and destruction, Castaway Angels is the aftermath of that destruction. It's so quiet and ethereal. If Einar was amazing before, here he's nothing short of angelic. I'm sure that was intentional.
And then it ends with another very simple but super tasteful guitar melody. Once again, reminding me of how The Pinneaple Thief will end super calm songs with amazing simple solos. One of the most beautiful ballads I've heard in a long time.
And finally, Nighttime Disguise. Oh boy, they knew what they were doing by saving this until the end. This song is a proper prog metal song, with crazy rhythms, even crazier tapping guitars and drums. The chord progressions here are absolutely crazy too, they go where you don't expect them too and it feels really disorienting in a cool way.
And if that was not enough to seal the deal, after almost an hour of slow, poppy and soulful songs. Einar lets loose some of the best screams I've ever heard. It's such a climactic way to end not just the song, but the damn entire album.
It really does solidify the album as a complete journey in my mind. It's like it was building up to this very moment for the entirety of it's length without letting you know it has. The section isn't even that long, it's like a minute long. But GOD is it worth it.
I know the song was written over livestreams and the viewers participated in it's process. It seems that's why the guys pull out every single trick in the book for it. It is incredible.
I could not be more excited to see where this band takes me next. I honestly loved this album.
Ranking
On Hold
Nighttime Disguise
Castaway Angels
The Shadow Side
Have You Ever?
Out Of Here
Running Low
Silhouette
The Silent Revelation
All Of The Moments
Rating