Meshuggah - "Koloss"

Swedish tech-metal kings returned after a four year wait with their highly anticipated new album Koloss, released late last month on Nuclear Blast Records.  After making a name for themselves with their progressive brand of speed metal and even forging a new metal scene altogether with the 7-stringed guitar-loving "Djent" sub-genre, the band has focus their sound with a more straight-forward groove-oriented sound, and all without losing their brutal edge.

The stomping stand out track "I Am Colossus" still maintains a staggering rhythmic pulse but reigns in the blast beats and prog-rock tendencies for a slower, more punishing sound befitting the song's title.  But don't worry, "The Demon's Name Is Surveillance" follows with a dose of speed and fancy fretwork.  Another standout track, "Don't Look Down" features a disorientating groove and soaring guitar solo.  And the first single and video released from the album, "Break Those Bones Whose Sinews Gave It Motion" begins with a siren-like guitar riff before bursting into a half-time rhythm that would ignite any pit in mere seconds and maintains that same intensity through to the end for another standout moment.

Proving yet again they are they heavyweights of the metal scene no matter how techical or brutal, Meshuggah bring it with their excellent new album Koloss.  Look for the deluxe version on CD which also comes with a bonus DVD that includes a making of the album feature and almost a half-hour of live concert footage. 

Check out the bleak performance video for "Break Those Bones Whose Sinews Gave It Motion" here: http://youtu.be/m9LpMZuBEMk


For more info: http://www.meshuggah.net/ and http://www.nuclearblastusa.com/en/