The Parallax II: Future Sequence

Between The Buried And Me | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: October 9, 2012
• Label: Metal Blade Records
• Copyright: 2012 Metal Blade Records, Inc
• Total Length: 1:12:33
• Genres:
  • Hard Rock & Metal
  • Rock
• ASIN: B0092POBLI
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,687 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)
  • #88 in MP3 Downloads > MP3 Albums > Hard Rock & Metal

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The continuation of the ever evolving musical journey that is BTBAM October 9, 2012

By J.C. Denton

Format:Audio CD

First, a brief introduction to BTBAM:

If you are unfamiliar with Between the Buried and Me, then you will want to do some research on their musical style before deciding to jump in. The easiest way to describe them is progressive metal with strong metalcore roots, but they have continued to become more progressive with each album, exploring nearly every nook and cranny the world of music has to offer. This album is one that most people would find several sections that they enjoy, but most would also dislike the album as a whole. BTBAM is absolutely amazing at what they do, but their style is not for everyone. It is also worth noting that a single song may not be the best way to "research" BTBAM since their styles can vary so significatly. I would recommend at least checking out these songs to get an idea of the stylistic range you will encounter with BTBAM: White Walls, Desert of Song, and Lunar Wilderness. So there is my fairly unbiased disclaimer, now to the review!

For those who are familiar with BTBAM:

I have only had 4 days with the album so far, so no I will not be saying if it is "better" than Colors or not. I absolutely love Colors, but I don't want more Colors. And if you share that sentiment you will find an equally impressive yet different album in Parallax II. This album is easily the most dynamically and stylistically varied album I have ever listened to, and will have numerous surprises to even the most die-hard BTBAM or progressive metal fan. Abrupt dynamic and stylistic changes have become more commonplace for BTBAM in their recent work, but, as I felt with Parallax I, those abrupt changes have felt more naturally flowing and purposeful than they used to. It shows how BTBAM continues to mature and evolve their style; continually pushing their previously set boundaries while remaining completely true to what BTBAM is. Extremely few bands are able to do this, and for BTBAM to achieve this with the level of technical complexity they demonstrate on each and every note and drum beat is simply astounding. Yet, unlike Dream Theater (which I am also a fan of), nearly every aspect of this album (and most recent BTBAM albums) has purpose behind it. No random solo section just for showing off, every musical idea fits the overall picture and the place in the story. For example, Paul's more complex lead guitar parts are often mixed so they merely meld into the background. This is something that essentially no other groups will do; write incredibly beautiful and complex musical phrases, and then mix them into the background rather then blasting it in your face. This is one of the many examples that demonstrates that BTBAM is truly about the music, and not personal glory and fame. Each fragment of this album is fit together with purpose, and the cohesive feel of the album is a direct result of this.

The album is a continuation of the story that was introduced in Parallax I, and it concludes an incredible musical and lyrical journey. Clocked in at a runtime of 72:32, epic does not begin to describe it. Here is a brief description of this part of the story taken from the BTBAM site, "the two main characters of the story take on a journey through space and time with the unenviable task of having to cure the flaws of humanity by any means necessary." Just as their music has continually evolved, so has the lyrical style. Framed inside this story of two people that will change the face of the galaxy, some very relatable themes emerge. I don't want to give any specifics of the story away, but it is one that will make you ponder, and seek to analyze how this work of fiction relates and comments on life through themes of destruction, rebirth, choice, consequence, regret, and more.

To conclude, if you are a fan of BTBAM, I'm sure you already have this or will soon. Otherwise, if you have a very open mind musically and enjoy complexity that is delivered with purpose, stylistic exploration combined with cohesiveness, and especially if you enjoy concept albums, I would give this album my highest recommendation for a starting point to dive into the world of BTBAM. Just remember to keep an open mind, and allow for plenty of time to dissect the album from all angles, and it will continue to amaze you.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My New Favorite BTBAM, And That's Saying A Lot October 29, 2012

By Andrew T. Adams

Format:Audio CD

I listen to so many new albums that I've developed a few ways to help determine just how much I like something and whether or not it's worth taking up my time and space on my computer/iPod. For example, how quickly does the music become familiar, meaning how fast does it get logged into my brain and allow me to follow along, anticipate upcoming sections, and have the songs develop their own unique place in my mind? Some music never gets to this level. I become so bored after a few listens that I'm never hooked and, consequently, either delete it or ignore it when searching through my iPod. I've been a BTBAM fan since The Silent Circus days and have to say that this album hooked me faster than any of their others. After only a couple of listens, it was like Parallax II was already one of my old favorites and its ever-rising play count highlights this fact. Also, I find myself listening to this album from beginning to end every time, like it's one long work. I do this with their other albums too, of course, but there are also times when I search for that one song to play off of their other albums and ignore the others (songs like Sun of Nothing, Swim to the Moon, Selkies, and Mordecai). There are definitely high points to Parallax II as well, but they feel like crescendos in one masterpiece instead of individual songs. I think from beginning to end, this is my new favorite BTBAM.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Words Cannot Describe March 8, 2013

By Christian D.

Format:MP3 Music

I don't think I have a vocabulary capable of reviewing this album. In fact, the English language may not be able to describe this album. I could possibly describe it in Finnish, but I don't speak Finnish. D: