Customer Reviews

Eight Ways

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3 star:		(1)
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2009's Eight Ways is the fifth studio album from Norwegian metal band Madder Mortem. I'm actually not sure what tag to give this band? Progressive? Avant-garde? Noise? Whatever it is, it's weird. I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this disc up in a clearance bin, but this bizarre platter of metal experimentation is definitely not it.

I'm sure the people who "get" this type of music will rave about Eight Ways. Unfortunately I'm just not in that camp. The music - technically proficient as it may be - is too jarring and unmelodic, and the vocals - distinct and powerful as they are - are simply too discordant and abrasive for my tastes. There are very few moments on Eight Ways that seem like a "real" metal album, and that's probably why I have such a hard time with it. I enjoy progressive bands like Leprous and Age of Silence, but Madder Mortem is just a little too far out there for me.

If your tastes run toward the avant-garde end of the metal spectrum (I'm talking Diablo Swing Orchestra and Stolen Babies here), you'll probably enjoy Eight Ways. It's not my kind of music, but I can still give Madder Mortem credit for creating real art here and not just aping Nightwish or After Forever's sound.

...Madder Mortem prove that they can create some of the most discordantly harmonious metal in existence!

I love Madder Mortem. I love them. This album brings the shining stars in the night sky within reach