Sceptic's Universe

Spiral Architect, ???????????? | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 28, 2000)
• Original Release Date: March 7, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sensory Records
• ASIN: B00004RDG5
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #203,951 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Spinning

2. Excessit

3. Occam's Razor

4. Insect

5. Cloud Constructor: Cloud of Unknowing/Being and Nothingless/Shuffled

6. Adaptability

Editorial Reviews

Debut release for Norwegian technical metal act. For fans of Watchtower, Fates Warning, Death, Atheist and Cyncic. Produced by Neil Kernon (Queensryche, Judas Priest, Nevermore).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 stars. Absolutely insane, yet incredibly interesting, January 10, 2004

By 

M. B. Link "wildfirelink" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sceptic's Universe (Audio CD)

A Sceptic's Universe(2000). Spiral Architect's first (and so far) only studio album.

"WARNING! Spiral Architect goes beyond progressive, exploring the realms of complexity and intensity that pushes the nature of technical metal further. 'A Sceptic's Universe' is not for the fainthearted! It may cause serious damage to your mental health."

This excerpt was taken from the sleeve that wraps around the album package. I almost laughed when I first read it because I've seen many warnings for strong language and cursing before on music albums, but never ever one that said that the music would be too complex for the human brain. It's probably a reasonable warning for those who never listen to this type of heavy metal at all. In fact, all you need to do is listen to the 30 second amazon clips to decide whether this is too complex for you or not. I on the other hand, didn't freak out on my first listen, due to the fact that I've previously listened to a lot of progressive rock and metal like Rush, Dream Theater, and such, so I guess it somewhat prepared me for Spiral Architect. But the music will most likely fly over most people's heads. I'd just like to see someone who only listens to either AC/DC or Top 40 radio try to sit here and stomache this. It simply wouldn't happen.

So what is Spiral Architect all about? Well, they derive their main influences from the 80s technical metal band Watchtower, who in turn sounds like an incredibly complex version of Queensryche. They show off other proggy jazz influences as well. Imagine the complex instrumental section of the Dream Theater track "Metropolis Pt. 1" as an entire song, then multiply that by a factor of 10, and you'll have some idea of what Spiral Architect sounds like. Originally I was only going to give this album 4 stars because its inaccessibility isn't for everyone. But I soon discovered that it wasn't meant to be for everyone. I could try to make an explanation for the band, but they describe themselves best on their website:

"Spiral Architect is about continual development, idealism, and intensity. Spiral Architect is controlled anarchy. The aim is to make music that challenges the listener, as well as pushes the abilities of the musicians and man."

So as far as their goal is concerned, they've succeeded at what they set out to accomplish. To create stunningly technical heavy metal music which grabs you by the brain and forces you to pay attention. With nine tracks (one instrumental), clocking in at a total of 44 minutes, the listener is in for one hellova rollercoaster ride.

I'm not going to describe each track individually here like I normally would, as it's quite impossible to do. The playing has so much going on at once, with literally tons of random time-change signatures, plus remembering that there's no "verse-chorus" approach to be found anywhere. Upon the first few listens, all eight songs will sound very similar to one another. There's so much depth to the playing that you're never going to be able to memorize the songs. You'll eventually catch on to small parts of them, but never the songs as a whole. I've been listening to this album for nearly a month now, and it still twists my brain into a knot. I still admire it though. If you come here expecting catchy hooks, you may be a bit disappointed. If you were to look up Spiral Architect in a thesaurus book, it's musical antonymn would be AC/DC. In other words, it's anything but predictable.

All technicality of the music aside, these are some AMAZING musicians, among the elite in refined musicianship. You've got vocalist/keyboardist Oyvind Haegeland who carries the music with Geoff Tate-esque singing. The keyboarding provides atmospheric, futuristic textures which play a key role in most of the tracks. Steinar Gundersen and Kaj Gornitzka provide the rhythm, lead, and accoustic guitars. Both play with a clean, complex style, with Steinar really showing off in the solos. Asgeir Mickelson works the drumming with great dexterity and precision. If one important thing is to be said, it's that Lars K. Norberg is THE BEST BASS PLAYER I'VE EVER HEARD. Seriously. I haven't heard any bass playing come close to the level that this guy displays. Most bands reduce the bass player to the roll of simply providing a simple low-key texture, but in Spiral Architect, Norberg's bass playing absolutely DOMINATES the music.

So now that they've released one carefully planned album, is Spiral Architect ever going to follow up? They lay down the truth on their website:

"...we have received lots of mail lately asking if we have broken up or are not going to release a new album. The answer to that is that we are very much alive and will definitely record a new album. However, we still haven't started rehearsing the new material so you'll probably have to wait some more years (you might say we're in no rush...)."

Hmm... they're in no rush, oh well. Maybe someday. Overall, if you're really looking for a complex metal album that will challenge you, you know what you're getting yourself into, and you want to be enthralled by stunning musicianship, then A Sceptic's Universe will not disappoint you. Otherwise, the vast array of technicalities that this album displays clearly shows that this is not for everyone, so it's your call. Afterall, the box _did_ warn you.

Other albums similar to A Sceptic's Universe:
-'Control & Resistance" by Watchtower
-'Focus' by Cynic
-'Awakening The Guardian' by Fates Warning
-'Operation Mindcrime' by Queensryche

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True Norwegian technical metal, July 7, 2001

By 

Church of The Flaming Sword - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sceptic's Universe (Audio CD)

I'm surprised at some of the reviews I have read for this CD. Some reviewers say this album is unmelodic. Others say this album was made as an excuse for these musicicians to show off their technical ability without any true regard for songwriting. And a few others only mention Lars Norberg.

First of all, this album is extremely melodic. The only thing is that the melodies are unorthodox and more complex than what is usually considered melodic. These are melodies that have to be listened for, not the type that punch you in the face upon the first listening. Once you are able to discern and appreciate the melodies, you will truly realize how profoundly talented Spiral Architect is.

Secondly, their awesome musicianship displays are not meant to hide a lack of songwriting (both lyrical and musical) ability. While I do not agree with the atheistic nature of some of their lyrics, they are highly intellectual and thought-provoking. And I admit, there are so many crazy time changes that it is difficult to tell one song from the other if you've only listened to the album a few times. The differences will only become evident after multiple listenings.

And finally, some of the positive reviews only mention Lars Norberg. Granted, he is an exceptional bassist. But what are the other four guys, chopped liver? All five members are incredible musicians. What I'm trying to figure out is how no one mentioned Asgeir Mickelson's drumming. Or the excellent guitar playing of Steinar Gundersen and Kaj Gornitzka. There were a few mixed reviews for vocalist Oyvind Haegeland. I for one think he rules.

Before I sign off I must remind you buy this album before it is downgraded from being merely difficult to find to being impossible.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Some Good Elements, August 10, 2008

By 

Cameron W. Malek - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sceptic's Universe (Audio CD)

Admittedly, I'm a bit of a junkie for progressive music/odd-time signatures.

Influences:

You will notice (immediately), if you've listened to any of the bands, a tremendous Watchtower and Cynic influence underlying A Sceptic's Universe. If you want to hear something Cynic-esque, listen to the end of Fountainhead: Clean, Jazzy textures and a lead guitar reminiscent of Masvidal's tone/solos.

Style:

Despite their influences, you can rest assured that absolutely nothing out there sounds exactly like Spiral Architect. Riffs are often composed of superimposed fourths/fifths modulated by half steps. The bass is also very high in the mix, so you hear prominent bass lines, often which are being played in counterpoint with the guitar rather than matching.

As far as a jazz/fusion influence goes, it is virtually nonexistent.

Technicality:

This album sets the bar almost impossibly high for technical metal. Not the kind of Dream Theater instrumental technicality that boggles you, though the musicians are very skilled in their own right, but rather a tremendous complexity of song structure and use of odd-time signatures. The riffs are tremendously difficult to play not necessarily because of speed, but because of their unorthodox construction.

I think, mercifully, that the impetus in Spiral Architect is on musical complexity rather than instrumental proficiency.

The Solos:

The general riffing is very unorthodox and creative, but most of the solos are essentially generic harmonic minor wanking. Not terrible to listen to , but nothing special.

Lyrics:

Lots of philosophical themes. Two Ayn Rand references: "Fountainhead" and "Moving Spirit". The lyrics are neither emotionally moving nor particularly stimulating intellectually.

The Flaws:

The vocals. While the vocalist himself is not terrible, the lines are awkward and rarely add anything memorable to the music.

I've heard a lot of criticism of the drumming as being "lazy", and I'm somewhat inclined to agree. While no slouch, there are certainly more interesting patterns that the drummer could have played, rather than playing rhythmically similar figures. Not a big drawback in my opinion.

The biggest drawback lies in the fact that the music is nearly ALL about technicality. There is a distinct lack of expressiveness, emotion, and any kind of message within the music. And that's a major portion of the music.

If you are a big tech/prog fan, I would listen to a couple of the songs and see whether it's your cup of tea. There are some interesting concepts in there, and I've certainly derived enjoyment from the technical side of SA. But, on a whole, I wouldn't recommend a buy.