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"“Mélodies Of Atonement” could well reconcile long-time fans and newcomers alike, as it brings together the very best of what Leprous can do."
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5/5
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Leprous is not a band that takes the easy way out. From the outset, they have always been able to evolve according to their desires, and above all have constantly sought to refine their music. More technical and metal in its early days, Leprous has since moved towards a kind of Art Rock that favors atmosphere over demonstrative prowess. In 2021, they released “Aphélion”, their most pop album ever, which further showcased their singer and frontman, Einar Solberg.
“Melodies Of Atonement” logically picks up where the band left off with their previous album. The more aggressive elements of their origins have been smoothed out to make compositions that like to play on contrasts as fluid as possible. In the same track, it's common to go from a few heavy, dissonant bars to sumptuous harmonies, from a light, intimate atmosphere to a dramatic mood, or to naturally alternate metal inspirations and electro sounds ('Silently Walking Alone', 'Atonement'). In addition, Leprous multiplies breaks and incongruous associations (marrying lalala with growl on 'Like a Sunken Ship') to give its protean rock a depth that is sure to impress even the most discerning composers.
For Leprous' strength now lies in this science of composition that takes the listener into the unknown, unable to guess what's going to happen, sometimes bewildered or even roughed up by surprising stylistic choices, but almost always delighted by such quality of production and interpretation. The vocals are true to form, highly developed and conveying emotion, doubled in octaves and thirds, reaching high notes inaccessible to the average singer. While the rest of the band could once again be described as accompanists (the number of solos is small), Baard Kolstad, perhaps one of the best drummers on the circuit, impresses with the finesse of his playing. Metronomic and precise, he adds an extra dimension to the tracks with his accentuations or ghost notes, and knows how to bring heaviness and power (at the end of 'Limbo' or 'Starlight') as well as expressiveness (everywhere else).
Despite a slowdown in tempo (the first four tracks are all very slow), “Mélodies Of Atonement” could well reconcile long-time fans and newcomers alike, as it brings together the best of what Leprous can do. It's an album that needs to be listened to several times to fully appreciate its finesse and the excellent songwriting. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Silently Walking Alone
02. Atonement
03. My Specter
04. I Hear the Sirens
05. Like a Sunken Ship
06. Limbo
 07. Faceless
08. Starlight
09. Self-Satisfied Lullaby
10. Unfree My Soul
LINEUP:
Baard Kolstad: Batterie
Einar Solberg: Chant / Claviers
Robin Ognedal: Guitares
Simen Daniel Børven: Basse
Tor Oddmund Suhrke: Guitares
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(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
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(1) COMMENT(S)
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"Melodies Of Atonement" est peut-être le meilleur album de Leprous depuis "Tall Poppy Syndrome", dans un style pourtant bien différent.
Dieu sait que le groupe m’a perdu de nombreuses fois, mais force est de constater que cet album est une vraie pépite pop rock.
C’est d’ailleurs ça le plus remarquable : le groupe a enfin choisi une direction musicale claire, en se débarrassant définitivement de toute approche prog qui le maintenait jusque-là dans un entre deux assez flou, ne sachant pas vraiment comment sauter le pas une bonne fois pour toutes.
Avec cet album, les Norvégiens se sont complètement libérés, avec des compositions ciselées, efficaces et ramassées et surtout débarrassées des arrangements symphoniques parfois pompeux des trois albums précédents.
Leprous est redevenu un groupe de rock, assumant ces influences (Radiohead en particulier) et son originalité, avec des musiciens entièrement dédiés à faire vivre des compositions réellement enthousiasmantes.
Mention spéciale au superbe titre ‘Faceless’ qui, pour la petite histoire, comporte dans son outro plus de cent pistes de chant, les cœurs ayant été réalisés par des fans du groupe (dont Clément Darrieu, le chanteur de notre Altesia national).
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READERS
4.5/5 (2 view(s))
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STAFF:
3.5/5 (6 view(s))
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IN RELATION WITH LEPROUS
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OTHER REVIEWS
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OTHER(S) REVIEWS ABOUT LEPROUS
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