Customer Reviews

Lament Configuration

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There has been a lot of hype surrounding this album what with Earache trying so hard to get it noticed. Hype be damned for this album is just as good, if not considerably better, then all the talk surrounding it. December play a sort of noisecore (I guess the most popular term for it) but with a lot more metal in the mix then say Maharahj or Converge. I'm a metalhead first and foremost before being a fan of hardcore and that might be part of the reason I love this album so much is because it falls more in line with three of my favorite groups as of late who also fool around with a more metal based noisecore sound, namely Lamb of God, Dim Mak and The Red Chord. When you listen to this album you'll notice the production for both in how effectively it conveys the absolutly devestating power this band puts out and that it's fairly unique as far as a typical production might sound for this sort of band. In much the same way as Lamb of God reaped nothing but benefits from the pairing of their demonic sound with Austin's production talents, December are gifted with Townsend (my favorite artist ever so a little personal bias comes into play here) at the helm who made damn sure that every bone liquifying element of this band was captured for you to hear.

The music itself stands out for their unique ability to write songs! Take that with a grain of salt if you will but there are more then enough metalcore bands who can add technicality to the music till its oozing off the cd itself and yet fail in the aspect of combining that skill and chaotic riffage into a memorable song. For one December don't always feel the need to be playing riffs that are near impossible to transcribe and they know exactly when to throw in a little 4/4 style chugga-chugga riff to build tension and contrast the insanity. The musicians themselves should be given a mention as well. The guitarist, bassist and drummer show the signs of having been playing together for a while because they are extremely tight in the nature of Meshuggah. Their vocalist Mark has a growl that I feel only finds an equal in Lamb of God's singer Randy with both his diversity and the fact that he can actually do it without his vocal chords disintigrating from the massive abuse he puts them through. Hear him once and you'll understand.

Noisecore fans and especially fans of bands like Lamb of God, Dim Mak, The Red Chord, Cataract, God Forbid and similar bands will find a lot to like here as these guys might possibly be the best of all of em. Absolutly incredible

This band is amazing!!! The singer is one of the best and so is the rest of the band. There are some grindcore moments which are terrifying. Very impressive. Notice how great it sounds when the singer starts singing on track 3 : Waiting For Rain. It's just unexpected! It should give you a fair impression of what this band has to offer that is so different from the other bands.

A mix of metalcore + grind + mathcore + slow paced death metal! Extreme brutality! A nice range of vocal styles and oddly complex tempo signatures complete each other, sometimes with brief bursts of pure grindcore at its full speed.

This is one of those bands which show that diversity and creativity don't need to be side by side with too many breakdowns and slow parts for it to work. Those who love grindcore, Napalm Death or any extreme metal band that shows originality in middle of noise madness this is for you.

Please, give it a try! :)

I have heard for years that Earache just wasn't the label they used to be, but that all seems to be changing lately. They've signed some very interesting acts in the last few years. While not necessarily being the type of bands that will totally blow you away, they are the type of bands that will get your attention and keep it for a very long time. This is where December steps in.

This is actually their third release, but their first for Earache. Their previous experience shows through with some well-written, straight forward songs. They have their own distinct flavor of noise that I'm sure most people would appreciate. Basically, picture Dillinger Escape Plan with less algebra and more groove and you have December. These guys take that noise core sound and write some cohesive songs that focus on a good groove rather than on trying to sound like a calculus problem set to music. It works rather well, too.

Devin Townsend's production touch can be felt here, but it isn't as thickly layered as most of his work. In fact, if I hadn't been told Devin was involved, I'd have never guessed it. The vocals are pretty intense with some good, hot distortion giving them a blackened feel. The guitar and bass are fairly thick and sound good, though the layered guitar is still basically only doing one main line.

My only problem with December is that I just can't tell if I'll still be listening to this album in another month or not. Where this sound in general works wonders for bands who play highly complex songs (so you can follow them), I'm not sure if it works for a band who focuses on simpler song structures (where you really don't need that help). Seems to me that they would be far more intense if they had another guitarist or at least recorded like they did.

That's really the only gripe I have and I only make a big deal out of it because this band has so much potential. Still, I keep listening, so they must be doing something right - and that's really all that matters.

December are breaking out of their smallish hometown of Reno, Nevada, USA, to enter the worldwide metal scene in a very big way, filling the shoes of Napalm Death as THE band on Earache Records, long considered to be THE extreme metal label. This is no small feat, and very few bands could live up to those kinds of expectations. But this isn't your average band.

December have been crafting chaotic metalcore since 1994, putting out two indie discs and a worldwide split with UK hardcore band Unite on Ian Glasper's Blackfish Records, and performing with bands like Dillinger Escape Plan, Crowbar, Stormtroopers of Death, Skinlab, VOD, and Fall Silent. And now, in 2002, they have unveiled their crown jewel: THE LAMENT CONFIGURATION.

If this album isn't in the Top 10 of 2002 list of every metal fan in the world, the only explanation can be this: they didn't hear it. And what a shame that would be. The Lament Configuration is 36 minutes 13 seconds of blistering aggression, precise riffing, ungodly drumming, otherworldly shrieking... in other words, pure ...mayhem!

A breakdown:
1. Devin Townsend (Strapping Young Lad, etc) produced in his indomitable style, which means huge, real-sounding drums; massive, layered guitars; thick, thumpy bass; organic, insane vocals.
2. These guys are real musicians. Bassist Asa Dakin has been honing his chops in a Zorn-style jazz fusion band for many years, and his playing is right on top and very classy. Drummer Jason Thomas not only drops my jaw every time I see them, he caused Devin himself--and everyone else who has seen the band live--to gasp in amazement. Guitarist Julian Peach plays with as much precision as the guys in Dillinger Escape Plan or Meshugga, but with the heart and feeling of someone like Dimebag or Randy Rhoads. Vocalist Mark Moots is the ultimate modern metal voice, with deep, frightening growls, a precise hardcore bark, and the most ear-piercing shrieks this side of Dani Filth.

And finally: the songs. Opener "Icenine" is perfect for scaring your boy-band loving little sister, and the assault just gets deadlier from there! My current favorites are "The Sleeping Throne," which has the best hook I've heard since "I'm Broken," "Trial," ("this is not a test!") and the closing couplet "Play Dead" and "Quiet Cold," which climaxes with a brutal vocal workout fading into an eerie instrumental passage that will leave you gasping for air.

December's THE LAMENT CONFIGURATION is the best record of the year, and no one will be able to top it. Or even come close.

December is one of the most brutal, heavy and ruthless bands I've ever heard in my life. This cd is great to listen to when you need to get pumped up for a concert, party, game or what have you. The Lament Configuration grabs your throat and forces you to bang your head and jump around. I compared their sound to the likes of Nora, Unearth and Bleeding Through. TLC was produced by the legendary Devin Townsend so you know its going to sound amazing. The overall talent level of this band is good...but nothing to brag about. There are no shredder-like guitar solos (actually i dont even think there is a solo). The drums are average, bass guitar is almost non existant most of the record but thats normal for this style of music. The vocalist sounds great but his voice is heavily procesed so I would need to see him live to make a judgement...These guys together make outstanding metal. You won't be dissapointed.
Best Song: By Example
One Word Review: Hostile

Now, while I usually detest metalcore I love this album. I don't know why I love it, I just do. You might not like it, but I really dont care because I do, it's great, give it a listen.

Hmm, when i first heard about this band i wasnt sure to whatb i was getting but all i can say is that december is without a question...Brutal & noisy as hell. I recommend december's "lament configuration" to every who is into bands like "the end" , & ,"converge" i highly recommend it.

December is one of the best bands to come out of carson city. The Lament Configuration is a great album but these guys absolutely destroy live. The brutal energy they give off on stage is increadible, so if you have a chance to see them do. Also, I've had the pleasure of getting a tattoo from Mark, the lead singer, and he's a really cool, down to earth guy. The band is great to listen to if you want to get pumped up and these guys are cool dudes. Pick this one up.