This Norwegian progressive/thrash band will probably ring a bell for some of you, but for those who never heard of them, here is a short introduction. The band was formed in 2003 by vocalist and guitarist Oddleif Stensland. After releasing four well acclaimed albums the band went a little bit silent in 2011 after the release of their fourth album. Only to release a 10th anniversary edition of their debut album A Conspiracy In Mind. But now after 7 long years Communic is back to release their fifth album, Where Echoes Gather.
The finishing of this album wasn’t a walk in the park for these guys. Even though that partial of the songs where already written in 2012 and 2013, the birth of Oddleif‘s second son made him decide to take some time off from the band plus parting ways with their long time record label nuclear blast and the new record deal with AFM Records made that we had to wait a while to hear new material from the band.
Now the album itself. Where Echoes Gather takes you on a trip and the further you go the more you want to hear. The mix of progressive with thrash metal is so greatly done you keep wanting to hear what’s coming next. The complex riffing, the catchy melodies together with the atypical and at some points hard to get voice of Oddleif are just what makes this all so powerful. That the atypical voice will maybe be a drawback for some of you, is understandable but give it a chance. Every song in this album is unique and each have their own power, but some of them do speak out for me. The Magnetic Center for instance. This is the opener of the album and directly let’s you know what your in for. Just listen to that opening riff for example. Another one that stands out is Black Flag Of Hate. I even think this is the heaviest song on the album. Not the fastest, but the chopping riff just wants you to bang your head to it.
Was it worth the wait? Definitely. Communic once more proves to be a high class band that deserves his existence. Fans of this band or bands like Nevermore really have to check this album out. You won’t be disappointed.
Release date: October 27th, 2017
Label: AFM Records
Tracklist:
1. The Pulse of the Earth (Part 1 – The Magnetic Center)
2. The Pulse of the Earth (Part 2 – Impact Of The Wave)
3. Where Echoes Gather (Part 1 – Beneath The Giant)
4. Where Echoes Gather (Part 2 – The Underground Swine)
5. Moondance
6. Where History Lives
7. Black Flag of Hate
8. The Claws Of The Sea (Part 1 – Journey Into The Source)
9. The Claws Of The Sea (Part 2 – The First Moment)
