AlbumsDecember 11, 201118,265 views

Structures Divided By


Divided By
01. At Las[t] 02. Hydroplaning 03. Encounter... 04. Paralyzed_ 05. In Pursuit Of 06. Clockwork 07. Relapse; Signs. 08. Tunnel Vision 09. I.N.T.E.N.T. 10. /
2011 Sumerian Records
Our score 5

12/11/2011

Divided By, to be honest, is beyond confusing. Musically it's derivative, splicing all the obligatory breakdowns, insanely fidgety guitar fills and utterly indiscernible vocal growls into 3 minutes that leave you reeling and slightly nauseous after a listen. Yet with all that said, it's clearly not just a matter of tonality, a trait that often plagues the techno-fuckery associated with the djent/metalcore/deathcore splurge; there is composition here that evidently has been approached with refreshing originality. The songwriting verges on furious puerility and the lyrics are systematically angry but not completely apathetic. The reason, however, why this album is one huge mindfuck is because while there is some obvious thought at the composition end of the creation process, the production is damagingly shoddy. This isn't a point to linger on because there is good, frenzied and sparingly intelligent musicianship here, but the dreadful clipping and the levels that are amped up beyond belief are almost an album ruiner. It's an astounding oversight by everyone involved in the creation and release of Divided By. It's hard to get past this, but once you do there is some distinctly intriguing and satisfying music, compounded by thick grooves and edgy, petulant guitar work; the clean vocals aren't derogatory and follow Dillinger Escape Plan's sporadic meanderings, making themselves a refreshing inclusion. "At Las[t]," as an album opener, is notably marred by this production and filled with one bass drop in particular that shattered my skull and sent bone fragments through the back of my retinas. And not in a good way. "Hydroplaning" is a sonic mess, a garbled conglomeration of everything ever; the lyrics are fucking inane and nonsensical, and the general impact of the song never leads to a peak, although the clean vocals stepping in three-quarters of the way through are a welcome addition to this otherwise indistinct five car pile-up of a song. "Encounter..." is better for its shouted opener and decent riff that follows, but we're soon led into shambolic territory again. The fury of this output is lost in the constant exaggeration of its sound; it's all well and good to be pissing frenzied sulphur onto everything, but without proper construction and balance, the meaning will ultimately become lost. "Paralyzed__" (enough with the underscores, slashes, and needless puncuation) does a decent DEP impression in replicating a twisted impression of sanity in its sound, and wanders around like a deranged lunatic that finds his abrupt end at the bottom of a cliff. There is redemption for this album because "In Pursuit Of" and "Clockwork" feel more complete and less rambling; it's apparent that the progressive hikes that a band like Structures demonstrate point to the more technical and intricate end of djent, but they fall flat throughout Divided By. The more complete songs pull this Canadian band towards a saving grace that can almost redeem them. Songs like "I.N.T.E.N.T." are audibly furious and go balls to the wall, giving The Acacia Strain a run for their money in the misanthropy stakes, and use the vocal variation effectively. The album finishes with the catchily titled "/," a noticeable pace reducer and filled with vocals that obviously exude the kind of ‘teenage angst' that everyone still sneers at but still definitely understand, no matter the age. The final half of the song erupts again, but unfortunately finds little purchase. Bottom Line: It's unfortunate that Divided By gets the raw deal from such abysmal production, but even with that aside, there's not enough that is original here, and even less gives you a real reason to stick with this record. The second half, however, is notably better than the first, but ultimately, Structures falls prey to the self-consumption that is so common within this increasingly rotten metal genre.

32 comments

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anonymous 12/11/2011 1:06:48 PM

f*ckin' more clipping than a mob war. Terrible

anonymous 12/11/2011 1:17:56 PM

Will putney did this. Wow this sounds terrible.

anonymous 12/11/2011 3:20:49 PM

Bottom line : this review is f*cking '' n'importe quoi ''

dave37 12/11/2011 7:14:45 PM

i really liked this album but the production sucks. i usually like will putney's recordings but this is just bad.

anonymous 12/12/2011 6:42:08 AM

can we get a reviewer who doesn't lube up and f*ck a thesaurus with the end result being a review for once? I don't care about any reviews or music in general, I just read these to reaffirm my hatred for humanity and start my day off on the worst foot I can.

anonymous 12/12/2011 6:57:02 AM

I didn't actually need to lube up for the thesaurus. It was pretty wet for me already. David

anonymous 12/13/2011 6:10:46 AM

clearly, it's not just a matter of tonality bro...

HBDad 12/13/2011 12:09:33 PM

Hmmm... I like the production. It is very heavy and hard hitting and everything is very clear! Really good album but the juvenile clean vocals were an unnecessary distraction. The album also felt a bit short.

anonymous 12/13/2011 6:43:47 PM

Learn the difference between nauseous and nauseated; it might help with your pontificating.

anonymous 12/13/2011 7:08:12 PM

You state the following: "The second half, however, is notably better than the first, but ultimately, Structures falls prey to the self-consumption that is so common within this increasingly rotten metal genre." Along those same lines with regards to your review, one might say... "The entire conclusion, however, is as poorly composed as the rest. Ultimately, the reviewer succumbs to the ostentatious and sanctimonious blather so prevalent among Lambgoat's intelligentsia."

ineedsalt 12/14/2011 8:24:45 AM

you used big words, too pointless no read no listen

Keev 12/14/2011 8:34:07 AM

Okay. Is this better? Production: Balls. Album: Decent. Worth A Listen?: Probably. Will I be disappointed?: Maybe.

anonymous 12/14/2011 1:04:48 PM

Much better. Remember, always better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you're an arrogant and pretentious ass than to prove them right.

anonymous 12/16/2011 2:29:31 PM

lmao, hardcore/metal "journalism"

anonymous 12/17/2011 4:28:42 AM

The bass drops are so overdone, it's cringe-worthy. Review is pretty much spot on too.

anonymous 12/18/2011 1:45:25 PM

Production isn't THAT bad

anonymous 12/18/2011 9:00:02 PM

awesome dudes. so-so cd.

Snoopy 12/21/2011 8:56:01 AM

Partied with these guys throughout teenagehood. Awesome dudes. Cooler than the whole LG administration department jamming with nude hookers

anonymous 12/23/2011 8:42:49 PM

So I love this band, and ithe production is not that bad. f*ck off LG.

anonymous 12/25/2011 5:14:48 PM

I picked this album up at best buy ( a friend told me it was sooooo good) got in my car, by the 6th song i took it out and threw ut out of my window.

anonymous 12/29/2011 11:56:56 AM

needless puncuation...was this on poipuse?

anonymous 1/3/2012 1:19:20 PM

Lower than deserved rating. The technicallity of the band gives it an 8 by itself.

Colossus 1/5/2012 12:49:50 PM

Spot on review.

anonymous 1/6/2012 12:19:20 PM

I agree with this review by far on the production. I saw these guys live and it was much better, simply because it sounded better than the production in the studio. Once I stopped being butthurt about the production though, it really is good. Sure, it may be confusing every now and again, they're one of the more talented and spontaneous metal bands these days, rather than the standard song structure and such.

ZakkCervini 1/9/2012 9:57:55 PM

I honestly don't think the clipping is that big of a deal, I think it sounds original and huge

anonymous 1/18/2012 8:14:38 AM

my summation: i really loved the EP, the best songs on this album are the ones ripped from the EP, and it makes me sad that they've been turned into an emmure clone. i like to think that that's the fault of an over-controlling record producer, but it's more likely their own.

anonymous 2/11/2012 3:06:51 AM

Structures rules. You guys are haters.

anonymous 2/20/2012 11:02:38 AM

First of all my comment is just an opinion but honestly lets see you play what they play. They have their own way of tuning not of the less they have the vocalist from despised icon on their song from the album. Clearly he ft. on the song for the reasons he can find true talent from them. I mean can you say despised icon is bullshit? I think not. I can approve of good music and for the fact that their only under the age of 21 proves their talent i good. What are they suppose to play?

anonymous 2/20/2012 11:03:32 AM

anyone could do that. They separated themselves for making their own style. Isn't what music and theory is all about? I rest my case

Stupid_News_Poster 3/6/2012 10:45:24 AM

This isn't djennt, its another meshuggah rip off. Get it f*cking right.

anonymous 3/27/2012 7:36:58 AM

album wasn't as djenty as i thought it'd be

anonymous 4/15/2013 12:31:39 AM

It just sounds like CLIPPING...all day.