Customer Reviews

Reinkaos

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

To say the least, there are still shockwaves running through the metal community about this album. But honestly, it's not like we weren't given a heads-up. The "Maha Kali" release gave us a big hint as to which direction Jon was headed in with his songwriting.

Not surprisingly though, people freaked when this album came out. Those expecting a second "Storm of the Light's Bane" were treated to something radically different. Dissection now play a very dark and sinister type of melodic death metal, but nothing close to In Flames, as some have stated. (Though I will say, a few riffs from this album would have fit perfectly on their 1998 album Whoracle.) There are no blastbeats or 8-minute "epics." The sound here is more streamlined, and most of the songs rely more on solid guitar-oriented songwriting and a sinister atmosphere than the black metal norm.

I will say that this album is definitely easier to get into on a musical level than previous Dissection albums. "Starless Aeon" and "God of Forbidden Light" are straight-up catchy, and "Xeper I Set" will grab some unexpecting listeners with its thrashy demeanor. Jon's vocals seem more restrained here, but seem to work within the context of the music. The drumming is simplistic and fitting, but never becomes stale or boring. Production overall is pretty good, even if it's a bit too sterile and digital. The guitar tone is crisp and the leads, solos, and harmonies cut through the mix when they need to.

My favorite thing about "Reinakos" would have to be the lyrics. Jon's long-time affiliation with the MLO comes through here, with invocations in other tongues to the gods of chaos and other things such as anti-cosmic philosophy. It may come off as pretentious at first, but soon you'll find yourself chanting "Dies Irae, Dies Illa, Solvet Cosmos Infavilla!" sooner than you think.

Even if this album sounds a bit dated, it is a solid comeback for one of extreme metal's most signifigant bands.

A well crafted, well executed, well produced, and all around excellent album. This is NOT the Dissection of yore, nor should it be expected to be. To say that a man should serve 7 years in prison and emerge unchanged would be folly, and the music is as much of a reflection of that as anything. The biggest departure of this album from the previous albums has got to be the sound quality. Absolutely top notch, and it gives the recording a whole new sheen. I'd imagine that if this were recorded in a similar style as Storm, then you would see entirely different opinions in the reviews. Favorite tracks of the album are the title track "Reinkaos", the epilogue "Maha Kali," and "Beyond the Horizon," but they are all quality tracks without a one to be skipped over. If you like old Dissection, you may or may not like this album. But if you like METAL, then you will most likely enjoy this recording for its own merits.

after two amazing black metal albums, dissection singer/guitarplayer/mastermind goes to jail for murder because he is, quite frankly, an idiot of the highest order. Though I believe someone is up above, i'm not religious so I could care less about his satanic views, they mean nothing to me. What I do like is the top notch music and vocals. Obviously, prison changed this dude's musical views. So he takes dissection from a black metal band to a melodic death metal band thingy. The result is spectatcular to say the least. I can see why fans would be dissapointed as it's just a total depature from their original sound but I think it's just as good as their other stuff. The melodies on this album, the music itself, it's epic beyond belief. The guitar solos are amazing and the vocals, while not as harsh as their older stuff, are clear and precise. The production adds to the sound, this album sounds IMMENSE. The drumming is outstanding as well.

I was initially deeply disappointed with Reinkaos, even though I was well aware that this would not be in the vein of their classic two previous releases. And for the very fact that those two releases played a very strong role in my own musical life, I cannot give this a perfect five stars.

Let's remove all contraversy and lyrical matter, and examine this album for what it is...MUSIC.

Most people would say that this is insipid, monotonous melodic death metal. I can definately see that there is a similarity with other bands like In Flames, but this is an entirely different entity. Sure, In Flames uses melodies and no blast beats, much like this album, but I hear much more classic metal, in the vein of Judas Priest's Screaming for Vengeance, than I do modern Gothenburg. Tempos don't rage up into blast beats, but do pound along nicely, and the melodies are very well composed. Furthermore, the complex song structures of The Somberlain and Storm of the Light's Bane have been foresaken. There is also a very warm, thick sound, that is in sharp contrast to the band's earlier, icy delivery, and I think because of that, the difference is very easily marked.

If I'd want to draw a really clear parallel, I'd compare this a bit to Metallica's black album; the songs were instantly enjoyable, they had a great sound, but were on the whole less complex than before. Does that make it a bad album? Certainly not!

But what makes Reinkaos an especially enjoyable album? The dark feel that it has to it! Backmasked vocals are used at the end of "Beyond the Horizon," a simple, haunting acoustic melody in "Black Dragon," and an assortment of textures in the title track. Another very key ingredient are the strange chords and riffs used, almost in a Voivod-esque way. Take for example the chords used in the verses of "Starless Aeon," the devastating riffs to the pre-chorus on "Beyond the Horizon," or the main riff to "Xeper-i-Set." "Internal Fire" is just about the fastest song on here, and goes through a pretty simple song structure, but it's very tightly composed and builds perfectly, especially in the whirlwind break down in the center (it actually sounds bone crushing, something I thought I'd never hear in Dissection). So there is a good degree of originality here, but it is a bit under the radar. If you don't really listen intently, you are bound to miss a lot.

Having said all of that, there really aren't any weak points on this album, but I still really enjoy their past work more. Another review pointed out that the choruses are rather catchy, and I have to agree with that, but not in a stupid repetetive way.

Bottom line: if you enjoy traditional metal and can effectively disconnect yourself from the contraversy surrounding this album, you'll probably enjoy Reinkaos.

Before I get into reviewing Reinkaos, I would liketo offer my condolences to Jon Nodtveidt's family,and his girlfriend. I heard about his suicide from FMP. R.I.P. Jon, you'll be missed.Reinkaos sounds a lot different from Storm of the lights Bane. There are no blastbeats, the drumming is kept simple and never gets repetitious. It took me awhile to get into Reinkaos, it's just differentfrom their previous albums. Great band.

hey ive heard endless amounts of bashing after they released this album, for one thing the band has been gone for like 10 years so what did you expect an album to soudn like it came out in 93? this is the dissection of the new age, its very catchy and melodic and heavy, it doesnt have to be cold black metal to be good, i mean it dont sound anything like dissection did on storm's bane or somberlain but for a melodic death metal album? it rules 5 stars, dont let there past make you hate this album . in no way is this better then there classic albums but in no way is it bad

A suprising far departure from Storm of the Light's bane, Reinkaos slows down, exploring more rhythm, solos and killer headbanging riffs. The aftementioned album is a masterpiece and as close to traditional black metal as this band ever ventured. Since bm became sort of a blast-beat poser fashion lately, I'm glad Dissection dared to explore different waters. Reinkaos remains black metal at it's lyrical heart dealing with dark magical concepts blended in an unholy formulae of metal. Indeed, the fine metal of death.

This is a wonderful album! It combines metal instrumentals with a touch of rock and features heavy vocals that are just as good as any other black metal vocals. The songs are intense, but are also pretty catchy and contain some flabbergasting guitar riffs. Not one song on this album bored me and I'm glad to have purchased it. It's truly great. Buy it!

Upon hearing the mcd "Maha Kali" I was very disappointed at what Dissection had become. The once great act seemed to have lost it all, the mcd was poorly produced and the song sounded pretty lousy compared to earlier stuff. Therefore I was hesitant to pick up "Reinkaos" when it was released. However, I eventually gave it a shot and I don't regret it for a second!

"Reinkaos" is a big step away from the earlier blackish material, however it is an extremely strong album in it's own right, drawing on old school metal for the music combined with Jon's powerful screams (as good as ever). The fast-paced black metal is no longer dominant, instead it is more of a death metal album with black influences. The mix on the album is close to flawless, and anyone who was deterred by the sloppy mix on the "Maha Kali" mcd should reconsider, because even that song is great on this album!

Fans of everything from At the Gates and Dark Tranquillity to old Dissection should be able to appreciate this beautiful album.

5/5 - one of the best albums of 2006 so far.

It would seem to me that this album has many people divided, not only for being Jon's "post prison" release, but judging the album on its own merts.

To me, I was not expecting the album to be good because of the mixed reviews already. However, upon receiving it, I was surprised at how much the album grew on me and how closer to earlier Dissection it actually is despite the contrary opinions.

First of all, there are no blast beats or even super fast songs on the album. The tempos and drum beats on the album remind me of almost having an Mid-Period Opeth kind of quality, or yes, mid-period In Flames.

Some of the songs almost have a hypnotic tribal type quality with the beats employed even.

The musical content is definitely shedding much of the black metal influences (read: Mayhem) that the first two album has; what we have in place is more melodic metal influences, but the melodious parts are actually alot more similar to what earlier Dissection were doing (part of the time) anyway.

It has an almost uplifting quality to it, compare this to the more majestic songs off the first two albums, but also (some) darker parts.

One of the things that makes this album unique, and I'm sure this is a matter of contention with fans, is that its supposed to be an occult ritual brought to life on an album. Yes, its a concept album, and the lyrics and vocal progressions have a catchy quality to them however strange they sound at times. At first I was turned off by this, but I found this quality to the album to be one of its strengths. Of course, I am unfamiliar and probably disbelieve most of the subject matter anyway, so I just consider it as fantastical as the first two albums lyrical material.

Some great shredding on it as well, and the production is great and crystal clear.

Great guitar tones and a pristine mix make this album one of the underrated albums of recent time, if this were what In Flames were ACTUALLY doing, it'd be called their best album to their classic "Jester Race".

As far as the quibbling and bad reviews, I say that the album is just as "evil" in alot of ways than the last two. The evil vocalisms and the dynamics make this a worthy album not only in the Gothenburg arena, but in the melodic death metal genre in general.

Trust me, it may grow on you, and is still miles above the many metal core bands trying to ape the "Swedish" sound.

A progression Jon Nodtveidt (RIP) has made, and its an excellent releaase.