Circenses - Official Website
Tightrope Walk On The Ground |
Finland
 |
|---|
Type: Full-Length
Release Date: May 8th, 2018
Label: Inverse Records
Genre: Death, Progressive
1.
High Center Of Gravity (Intro)
2.
Kill The Words
3.
Lunacy
6.
From Darkness To Joy
7.
Sleep My Demon
8.
Disordered
9.
My Mask
10.
Swallow Your Pride
Review by Yener on May 14, 2019.
I admit, for the longest time, black metal has never really done much for me. While most of the genre I could easily just flat out ignore, there are a handful of bands that I really like and admire (Emperor comes to mind) but Marduk has always been at the very top of my list. Ever since I heard Panzer back in the day, I have followed this band quite closely. And while they have done some stellar work in the past, this is the album that made me think "Okay, this isn't just good anymore, this is fucking amazing."
ROM 5:12 encapsulates everything I love about Marduk. There is really no messing about, on this release the band seemed extremely focused with a big emphasis on song writing quality. Production wise, this is the best sounding Marduk album ever in my opinion. While it sounds polished and clean, it's also dirty and raw. It's not sterile, it's full of dynamics and life, and it just sounds amazing. It fits the overall vibe of this album, and if I had to describe the album with one word, it would simply be "evil" - the album just oozes it, from every punctured sore and wound.
I know that sounds cliché, but it's true. That's what I get from this album - the riffs, the relentless drumming, the excellent vocals and outstanding lyrics. The riffs are crafted masterfully, sometimes simple, sometimes complex, but always there supporting the song, and playing to its strengths. The lyrics are easily one of the highlights of the album. While being anti-religious, it never retorts to childish ramblings in the vein of so many other black and death metal bands. They are extremely well written, thoughtful, poetic.
Thou fair one, behold these bones.
Thou learned one, see these empty skulls.
Thou wealthy one, consider this dust.
People sometimes complain about the slower tracks on this album, but I personally really enjoy those as well. They give another dimension to the album, and far more character. If this was just nonstop speed, trust me, the fast songs wouldn't have the same impact anymore. After a while you just get numb to it. Here, it's not like that. You are given room to breathe between the chaos, and that in turn makes the chaos that much more powerful when it arrives. The intervals between the madness provide some nice peaks and valleys and most importantly, a whole lot of atmosphere.
All of that said, I firmly believe that the best track on here is "Accuser/Opposer", easily the most dynamic song on the album, and perhaps from the entire Marduk discography. In my eyes, an absolute masterpiece which to be honest, didn't really sink in at first, but when it did the effects were undeniable. Just absolutely untouchable in how good this song is written, arranged, and performed.
"I ate of Death to cleanse my flesh of God."
This isn't your run of the mill, moronic black metal album with constant blast beats and unintelligible lyrics. It's a well thought out, intelligent release, which also retains the integrity, power, and aggression of Marduk.
Not to be missed.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
830Review by Tomek on August 25, 2007.
Any band has its diehard fans and dieharder antagonists, but in Marduk's case, it goes to a different level. No matter what album they put out there, it stirs up a storm of controversy and brings new blood while letting go of the old followers. To me, personally, Marduk cannot go wrong and in "Rom 5:12" case, they took all the right steps and did all the right things to simply record the best Marduk album yet.
All the way from the first clicks to the last moments, Marduk will not let you go. Gripping, amazing and continuous high performance with intros, outros, guest appearances, variety in speeds and tempos, primal and raw, epical, addictive and catchy. Absolutely powerful album, full of songs with identity, groove, speed and blasphemy that Marduk is known for. Definitely diverse, more mature, but at the same time standard in all dimensions.
New opus is an impressive proof that they are not done yet, and we can expect more progression, even though it's all based on the same old formula. No matter what other people say I think Marduk will surprise us many more times and that's simply fine by me.
Categorical Rating Breakdown
Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Originality: 8
Production: 9
Overall: 9
Rating: 8.8 out of 10
Review by Alex on June 3, 2018.
Circenses is a one man progressive death metal project hailing from Finland. Tight Rope Walk On The Ground is the project’s debut album that was a very pleasurable listening experience. Circenses is proclaimed to be a progressive death metal band, however, there are other musical styles incorporated into the sound. Many times throughout the album one can hear the resounding influences of metal-core, thrash metal, gothic metal and melodic death metal. Tight Rope Walk On The Ground is 33 minutes in length and whilst having other sub-genres of metal play roles, it never sacrifices the progressive facet. The guitars have a Killswitch Engage vibe, whilst the keyboards echo melancholic and dark atmospheres. The drumming evinces semi-technicality, blast beats and thrashing moments. The feeling generated by Tight Rope Walk On The Ground constantly plays with the listener's emotions via ever-shifting soundscapes that negotiate rather than fight in order to achieve predominance over any track. Each element of the music is coaxed such that space is preserved for other artistic directions to take the lead. What Tight Rope Walk On The Ground does very well is give the listener just enough to want more, nothing is overdone or overused.
“Kill the Words” and “Lunacy” are very strong opening songs, they apply much focus on melody in the main choruses and leads via the use of the keyboards. You feel as if you are drifting with agile from one mood to another. I mentioned Killswitch Engage earlier when giving reference to Circenses’ guitar tone, this feature can be heard clearly on “Kill the Words” (and other songs). Even the pattern of playing the guitars mimic’s that of Killswitch Engage. When comparing the tone and pacing of the songs one could argue that “Lunacy” has more passionate vocals that are marked by loud metal-core snarling, faster drumming a bit of technicality sprinkled on the right parts. The manner in which the keyboards are used adds a welcome magical flavor to the music. What this does is denote Circenses ability to gather and combine particles of rhythm and musical differences to build a functional entity of ear-worm. Indeed each song is memorable and has a high replay-ability factor that sets in by the self-titled track. I’m impressed by the order in which the songs were arranged; this assortment positively impacted the music’s flow, thus contributing to an addictive listening experience. The stability of the rhythm from song to song created a feeling that suggested each entry was an extension of the prior; but more importantly, an integral and vital piece of the album’s greater image. As I’ve stated in previous reviews; flow is highly important to the success of any given album; if you can keep the listener nodding and humming to the tunes then consider your effort to be a successful one.
“From Darkness To Joy” and “Swallow Your Pride” are for me the songs that glue and cement the different tones, feelings and playing styles of Tight Rope Walk On The Ground. They shine a light on the images portrayed and clarifies any misunderstandings or misjudgments that may have bothered the listener in terms of identity and purpose. Severi Osala’s clean vocals on “From Darkness To Joy” combined with the gentle keyboards and acoustic guitar evoke a sense of freedom/relief in the listener. The heavy chugging guitars along with the light touches of the keyboards and quick double bass + loud cymbals incite a dreamy presence that mystifies the record. "Swallow Your Pride" takes each memorable moment of the music and dishes it out at the listener; it’s such an awesome song that has those fist-pumping, headbanging blast beats integrated with magical fairy-esque moments via the keyboards.
Tight Rope Walk On The Ground has a clean production that many will enjoy once they give it a spin. I’m glad I was fortunate to receive the promotional material; given this is some of the best progressive death metal I have heard in a long time. I hope there is more to come from Severi Osala’s Circenses.
Rating: 8.4 out of 10
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