Customer Reviews

Waves of Visual Decay

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"Waves Of Visual Decay" is the sophomore effort from Norwegian progressive metal outfit Communic, and is one of the better recent efforts in the genre. A good way to describe this band's sound would be a cross between power and progressive metal, with an intellectual slant and lengthy, prog-influenced compositions. Communic remind me quite a bit of the band Nevermore, perhaps with a bit lower shred quotient.

A very addictive blend of elements which any metal fan would certainly enjoy; this album is definately a standout among the metal releases of the last few months. Complex and heavy riffs and excellent operatic vocals, an epic, cinematic sensibility, and intelligent lyrics full of pointed social commentary. I have been a fan of progressive metal for years, and Communic are certainly rising stars in the genre.

Some fine-tuning might help this band, however...some songs are a bit long without enough variety to warrant the song's length, and feel rather repetitive because of this. That having been said, when this band is "on", they're on fire...tracks like the blazing opener "Under A Luminous Sky" and "At Dewy Prime" are powerful, intense, and heavy. Recommended.

Norway's Communic have taken the metal world by storm in a relatively short time. In 2005, the band released their debut album Conspiracy in Mind. After the recording, the band hastily entered the studio and recorded Waves of Visual Decay. This release is nothing short of stunning, and is a very strong contender for Album of the Year.

Waves of Visual Decay starts off with a fast paced progressive monster with Under a Luminous Sky. This song is a strong opener and is filled with tempo changes and amazing vocals. Frozen Asleep in the Park is a great song with wonderful layering of the guitar work. One of the best songs is the title track. Oddleif Stensland's vocals are top-notch and this shows his magnificent range. The final track, At Dewy Prime is epic and in my opinion, the best song on the album. The guitar work is spectacular and the song is nearly 10 minutes long.

Oddleif Stensland's vocals soar high once again and have that hint of Nevermore's Warrell Dane present. This band is so talented that it is downright scary at how good the next albums will be. People often call Communic the Norwegian Nevermore. This is accurate, and Nevermore fans should embrace this band for their mastery of the genre. Waves of Visual Decay is rightfully one of the top releases of 2006. I can hardly wait until Communic tour the United States.

After 2005's amazing release of "Conspiracy in Mind", Communic jumped right back in the studio to start work on 2006's "Waves of Visual Decay". And oh my God did they do something right. This album puts everything you thought you knew about Progressive Metal and Power Metal to shame. The way the two genres are blended make for a great listen and the technicality of this album is mind numbing. At times the guitar riffs might remind you of Porcupine Tree (evident in the track Under a Luminous Sky). This is definitly one of the best of 2006 so far. If you enjoy bands like Nevermore, Soilwork, Beyond Fear, Dream Theater, Scar Symmetry, and Evergrey then this is for you. You wont be dissappointed. And if you like this album make sure you pick up their first! Or vice-versa.

With fantastic production, stellar musicianship, and a mastermind visionary vocalist/guitarist Oddleif Stensland leading the way, not to mention a pretty cool album cover, I feel behooved to throw my two cents into the cyber-sea and offer a glowing review. The reflections that Communic have with the band Nevermore are occasionally noticeable, vocal delivery and a crushing guitar attack being the most common, but Communic are otherwise a very original Progressive Metal creation. After "Under A Luminous Sky" blows your hair back with irresistable guitar drive and crunch, demanding your attention at every turn, "Frozen Asleep In The Park" (great title!) then throttles you further into submission with a story-like tale embedded in the lyrics as a final superb songcraft dynamic. "Watching It All Disappear" follows and is as close to a ballad as this band gets during the course of the album with intelligent lyrics and thoughtfully crafted arrangements mixed evenly as to allow each talented band member to be heard. After this small respite the sparkling jewel "Fooled By The Serpent" takes the Progressive road with numerous tempo shifts, excellent guitar-work and a chorus that sticks to your brain long after the track has ended. Outstanding! "Waves of Visual Decay" (title track) slows down the attack to an enthralling state with Stensland's unwavering vocal performance waxing intellect and emotion in equal parts with a flawless tapestry of band interplay woven perfectly around him. "My Bleeding Victim" kicks off with a catchy guitar riff and then accelerates into a more Progressive Metal structure until the sinister chorus intones "My bleeding victim folds her hands and prays" followed soonafter by the provocative lines "Beyond the veil--Stalking my prey/Beyond control--I'm on my way." The epic "At Dewy Prime" finishes off the track list with a song structure that reminds me a little of Opeth mixed with Nevermore with a spectacular chorus that explodes and refuses to be ignored. I'm not sure if the production details note that there are two untitled tracks after "At Dewy Prime" but they hardly sound tacked onto an already accomplished recording. The first untitled song is easily their most Nevermore-like with in-your-face guitar riffs and driving double-bass drums but at about the midway point the songcraft bends Progressive once again reminding me of short Opeth-style electric/acoustic guitar breaks and sustained, almost atmospheric chords. The final track begins with a piercing guitar lick underscored with double-bass drums before slowing down to a mid-range rocker with catchy riffs and lyrics like "Seaweeds in the ocean shall be my deathbed!" I kept waiting for a down track but it never occurred. Each and every song on this album is a remarkable creation. As with all good Progressive Metal, however, this album takes a few spins to fully appreciate. Communic's "Waves Of Visual Decay" is absolutely incandescent! Thank you.

Norwegian group combines the intensity of metal, the majesty of melodic rock, and the story telling of progressive rock into one mind-blowing experience.

Logan from Wichita dubbed them as such in his review of their previous CD (Conspiracy In Mind) and it holds even more true on this release. Great songwriting and musical ability in the power metal vein of Nevermore/Sanctuary/Crimson Glory and any fan of these bands will be quite happy when they hear these tunes. Not many singers can lay claim to a positive comparison to the great Warrel Dane, but Oddleif Stensland does an outstanding jon on vocals and guitars throughout. Let's hope these guys can get on a U.S. tour soon!

It is by far the best metal album of the year. I took a chance on it and boy did I hit the jackpot. I think it blows Nevermore away. Their a decent band but nothing like this. Not a bad song on the disc. My favorite is Frozen Asleep In The Park and At Dewy Prime not far behind. There are two bonus cuts that were re-recorded from their first disc that are thrown in that are excellent. A must have for people into metal music.