Derivate
Self-Titled
5 Track E.P
Re-Released September 2015
Written for Metal Gods Meltdown
Derivate – Geneva, Switzerland
Links:
Engineered and mixed by Nicolas Haerri
Mastering by Jens Brogen.
Artwork by Zach Dischner.
Genre: Progressive
Biography:
“After
five years of experience gleaned over the four Geneva concerts, Jeremy Davis,
Alain Chiesa, Theodore Davis and Nouchine Etemad redefine themselves through
new group: Derivate with maturity, the artist often returns to simplicity. This
is the precisely the direction now takes with this new EP. And by focusing on
the composition vocals, guitars, and the melodies on the bass with drum groove,
and exploring the borders of metal sounds.
This
new album is the empirical part of a reflection on art and especially on
musical composition. The approach is novel and unique in so far as it respects
harmony,
but is rooted in the conceptual composition, two approaches often opposed.
To
dial five paintings that form this EP Nouchine Etemad used a method special
composition. It consists of creating a first pattern or riff that occupies symbolic
opening position or introduction. Then, the composer returns to the pass
several times or recording head and leaves in some way his mind guide on what
should follow. These indications may appear as a signature rhythmic, sometimes
like a melody, atmosphere, modulation or a change in sudden dynamic. Very soon
the composer leaves guided by his own desires following thus a structure is
created, never a party repeats. The result is an EP of 30 minutes ranging from
melodic rock accents "Opethiens" and metal sounds where modern
rhythmic assaults of double pedal and guitars hit you hard in the heart!”
Storm
This
is one serious track that spreads its beautifully sculpted wings over the ears
and coaxes them with beauty until that is, a shadow of ferociousness cuts in
and turns it on its head and then the progressive side takes over once again only
to turn it back again. The textures
musically speaking are fluent and crisp but let down by the raspy strained
vocal.
Dawn
Is
a long stretch of tempered beats and ambient melodic hues, however the rougher
the musical edge, the better the vocals sound accompanied by the slices of raw
hooks and mesmerising guitar that once again turn back their wings from
butterfly to a Chrysalis.
Awakening
Is
hard edge track that lunges with a fevered brow that remains in the same vein
as the previous tracks turning from harsh to light in an instant although very
powerful, transmits a rhythmic swagger of niggling grooves?
Downfall
Unfortunately,
so far all the tracks seem to have repeated themselves in the dominant vein of
a progressive mood which is fine be it within the bands genre, but this track
with its tempestuous guitar although tempting, sadly comes too late to save
itself.
Cycle
This
track has a nice chug, jabs with a heartfelt beat, and probably the best track
on the E.P but I feel the band need to up their game if they want to create a
lasting impression with the overall E.P and not just one or maybe two tracks.
Summary:
I
found myself edging away from this re-release of Derivate not because the music wasn’t good, but each track simply
gave nothing out in order to focus the attentions on and the vocals bar one
track were just not suited to the music.
Progressive
can sometimes be like this – very difficult to let the mind focus as there are
all defining parts that try and jump out at you in various stages of the
composition.
I
feel the band have tried to vary their music by making it sound a little
harsher in places but it just seems false to me and they have stuck with this
flavour instead of keeping to within their progressive element.
The
vocals are grating and raspy and yes great for the track ‘Dawn’ however the
rest of the E.P suffers after this – maybe the band should try getting in
another vocalist who does throaty growls and thereby creating something a bit
more jaw dropping than the average raspy croon.
When
the band focus in on their progressive comfort zone it does sound pretty
amazing, but sadly it doesn’t last long enough and therefore instead of drawing
attention to the tracks it kind of loses its way a bit and plums for a harder
edge which is great for diversity but not when all the tracks sound in a very
similar vein.
6/10
Track List:
Storm
Dawn
Awakening
Downfall
Cycle
Members:
Jeremy
Davis – Vocals/Guitar
Nouchine
Etamad – Guitar
Alain
Chiesa – Bass
Théo Davis
– Drums
