Soaked in distortion with guitar strings detuned to the point that they barely hold to the neck, The Grasshopper Lies Heavy unleashes a sonic masterpiece with Every Man for Himself and God Against All. A purely instrumental record that unravels over the course of five tracks (appropriately named "Part 1" to "Part 5"), the album gives the impression that it's a soundtrack to a non-existent movie.
The beginning of the record begins with a ghostly "hovering" sound that sustains itself for the first minute before exploding into a cataclysmic event born of crushing guitar chords and heavy percussion, eventually receding into the gentle melodies of "Part 2" and "Part 3." There is a constant progression to the album, as each track transitions seamlessly into the next. The guitar absolutely wails throughout each track, hinting at a level of improvised composition similar to the work of bands like Earthless.
Every Man For Himself and God Against All isn't exactly an album where you have a favourite tune; the record is meant to be experienced as a single piece. While lacking lyrics, you can't help but feel that there is an overlying narrative to the creative work, an idea or concept that the band has kept secret. At the end of it all, you'll be left with the nagging feeling that you should have learned something. This is an amazing album, one for those who love any genre with the word "post" in front of it.
(Crowquill Records)The beginning of the record begins with a ghostly "hovering" sound that sustains itself for the first minute before exploding into a cataclysmic event born of crushing guitar chords and heavy percussion, eventually receding into the gentle melodies of "Part 2" and "Part 3." There is a constant progression to the album, as each track transitions seamlessly into the next. The guitar absolutely wails throughout each track, hinting at a level of improvised composition similar to the work of bands like Earthless.
Every Man For Himself and God Against All isn't exactly an album where you have a favourite tune; the record is meant to be experienced as a single piece. While lacking lyrics, you can't help but feel that there is an overlying narrative to the creative work, an idea or concept that the band has kept secret. At the end of it all, you'll be left with the nagging feeling that you should have learned something. This is an amazing album, one for those who love any genre with the word "post" in front of it.
