Customer Reviews

Warm Glimpse

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

 

 

Its hard to say what 2003 was the year of. Music saw the evolution of screamo and hardcore, with Ozzfest 2003 only furthering the trendiness of outfits such as Killswitch Engage and Atreyu, with more and more acts just like them on the way, spawning just as fast as hair metal did in the 80s. However, an original band named Farmakon came through with their Earache Records debut that went unnoticed by the masses, but resonates to the listener quickly that this band is going to be along for a long time.

I confess, i am an Opeth fan, so the immediate similarities made me quite pleased with my random pickup of this disc last December. I dont think i knew though that i was going to come to love this band and be excited for them the same way as i am toward my musical idols. Farmakon has not necessarily breeded a new style of melodic death/jazz influenced metal, they have moreso advanced its evolution towards the forefront of the musical world, with fans like me hoping one day many young and confused people may turn to the chilling and enchanting rhythms and the hellacious Opethian growls to find personal joy. Sure, i am a dreamer, but give not me, rather Farmakon, their moment in the sun.

Track 8 on this disc "Pearl of My Suffering" stands out as an instant gem, easily a canidate for best new song in the year 2003. This song bends the line between death and jazz in ways that can only be touched by the legendary Swedes.

I am eagerly awaiting for the followup to "A Warm Glimpse" to see what evolution Farmakon will offer the metal world. If the evolution is staged as Opeth's was, the next few albums will only continue to amaze fans of the genre.

Finally, to those who call this band "Opeth wannabes" this is merely showing the inspiration on progressive death metal music that Opeth has delivered. And so you dont seem so shocked, Farmakon's singer has a favorite album...Opeth's "Still Life."

Need i say more?

Ok so its quirky progressive melodic death metal with elements of jazz (in the vein of Ephel Duath, though a bit less experimental). And the vocals include black and death growls, clear vocals similar to Serj Tankian and some King Diamond. Top notch production and musicmanship, and amazingly fluid songwriting.
But what really makes them stand out is their quirkiness. I mean, there have been bands that have done what they are doing and better, but all of them deal with depressing or serious or abstract themes, which makes hearing songs like 'Loosely of Amoebas' and 'Wallgarden' a guilty pleasure.
All the songs are pretty solid but...
OK, I'll say it. This is a total ripoff of Opeth.
That said I enjoyed this better that Opeth's Deliverance, so maybe you'll like it too.
Fav. Songs - Loosely of Amoebas, Same, Pearl of My Suffering

Yes, we all realize that Farmakon takes some of Opeth's style and uses it as their own. But there's absolutely no way you can call them a flat-out Opeth rip-off.

The fact is, what Opeth does wrong (which you could count on one hand), Farmakon does right. Their songs aren't incredibly long, so they are generally straight to the point. And they also seem to be on the more extreme sides of the spectrum than Opeth. The growling is much more sharp than Akerfeldt's, and the clean singing hits higher notes. The same goes for the other instruments, when it's hard, it's hard, and when it's soft it's really jazzy.

Overall, not a bad start. I'll be looking forward to their next release, especially to see how they evolve in their sound.

I saw people compared this band to opeth. These guys are their own band and to say they are just like another band is riduculous. They have their own sound and the vocalist in particular has a great range. It's a good album, but buy it for Farmakon and don't go in expecting another bands sound. Enjoy!