Animals as Leaders

[M0G]

Wow. Just finished my first listen. Incredible. Need time to fully process. Recording the drums live was a smart move. Matt is a monster on the drums. As for Tosin, he just keeps getting better...I don't know how that is possible. Javier was on point as he always is. So many styles and influences and nuance on this album. Will post a more comprehensive review after a few more listens on good headphones.

[M0G]

Go Buy the Album

[M0G]

hehe, i've been good man. I am really liking the direction the band took with this album. Some of the songs are just mind-blowingly innovative.

I mean the song physical education is groovier than the 60's bro. And that plucking in Woven Web.

Sweet Jesus.

What are your guys' favorite 3 songs off the album?

For me i'd have to say in this order, at the moment it is:

1. The Woven Web
2. Nephele
3. The future that awaited me

This album is fucking incredible. Every time I listen I hear something new. There is so much going on in each track. Tosin IS the best guitar player on the planet. Javier shines more brightly on this album but it is Matt that makes it. Matt's performance on the drums is just fucking perfect. After getting to see him live and now with this new album I believe Matt is absolutely in the upper echelon of drummers in any genre. The production is superb. The track titles are perfect and fit with every song. Each song is a sonic journey. The technicality of music is remarkable yet it is still highly musical.

Wise used the word "innovative" above and that couldn't be more apt in this instance. This album should move AAL further away from the all to often thrown around "Djent" label. They have evolved far beyond that. They are an avant-garde metal band that moves between genres seamlessly.

As for favorite tracks that will take some time. Each track is so fucking nuanced and there is something in all of them that blows me away.

Oh and word to the wise, no pun intended, listen this album on good headphones. A really good set of headphones changes the way you will experience this album dramatically. There really is that much going on.

[Kittaan]

This album mos def rewards multiple listens. I have spun it dozens of times now and I am SO stoked to be seeing them tomorrow night.

Slightly bummed...

► Show Spoiler

Judging from some recent setlist reports, looks like we only get 4 tracks from Joy

Tooth and Claw - JOM
Kascade - JOM
Lippincott - JOM
Physical Education - JOM

But the set list is pretty great.

[M0G]

This album mos def rewards multiple listens. I have spun it dozens of times now and I am SO stoked to be seeing them tomorrow night.

Slightly bummed...

► Show Spoiler

Judging from some recent setlist reports, looks like we only get 4 tracks from Joy

Tooth and Claw - JOM
Kascade - JOM
Lippincott - JOM
Physical Education - JOM

But the set list is pretty great.

Looks like they are doing a good job of covering material from all three albums. 4 or 5 off JOY, 4 or 5 off Weightless, 4 or 5 off their first album and Wave of Babies (single). So probably 13-14 tracks. Man you are in for a treat.

[Kittaan]

Disappointed that nobody from Fourtheye has seen them on this tour. Was hoping for some idea of when to show up. The only act I'm interested in seeing other than AAL is NaveneK, the previous AAL drummer's solo gig. But apparently he's 2 of 4, so I'll likely skip it. No desire to see After the Burial with their horrendous Cookie Monster vocals.

I guess if the doors are at 7:00pm, assuming they start at 8:00pm, with three openers - AAL at 10:30pm?

[Kittaan]

Amazing show. I rolled in about 10 minutes before AAL hit the stage @ 10:00pm and nabbed a spot just to the left in front of Javier (well away from the mosh pit) and few heads back from the rail. Perfect spot right behind a couple of tiny asian chicks for most of the show.

They played the same setlist I believe, and it was excellent throughout. Pristine sound, even from up close and to the side. Still echoing in my head... More later if anyone's interested.

[UndKeineZwEier]

Ah, there you are! I can't believe it took me this long to spot that 'fro.

[wisevitamin]

Mog is right. Listening to this new album on a good set of headphones is totally worth it, and you really hear things you wouldn't notice on average headphones.

And really, this album is some next-level shit.

Like this is the kind of music humankind would want to send out to aliens in outer space to showcase our musical capabilities haha.

[M0G]

@Kittaan - Super stoked you enjoyed the show. Tosin, Javier and Matt are all masterclass level musicians and they play so well together. So glad I got to see them last year. Really hope I can catch em later in the year. Gotta figure next tour they will add a few more tracks from JOM

@Wise - Yeah dude good headphones are a requirement to fully appreciate everything going on in each track. Superb album on every level. As I said before this should silence the Djent argument. AAL is wayyyyyy beyond a common shitty Djent band. The level of music comprehension these cats possess is mind boggling.

[M0G]

[hellboy]

Hitting the road in May/June with Chon and Conquering Dystopia:

05/17 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
05/18 Howell, NJ – Skate & Surf
05/19 Worcester, MA – The Palladium
05/20 Poughkeepsie, NY – The Chance
05/21 Buffalo, NY – The Waiting Room
05/22 Pittsburgh, PA – The Rex
05/23 Cleveland, OH – Agora Ballroom
05/24 Columbus, OH – Saloon
05/25 Louisville, KY – Diamond Pub & Billiards
05/26 Kokomo, IN – Center Stage
05/27 Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection
05/28 Kansas City, MO – Granada Theater
05/31 Dallas, TX- Trees
06/01 San Antonio, TX – Backstage Live
06/03 New Orleans, LA – Tipitina’s
06/04 Birmingham, AL – Zydeco
06/06 Gainesville, FL – High Dive
06/07 Ft. Lauderdale, FL – The Culture Room
06/08 Jacksonville, FL – Brewster’s Roc Bar
06/10 Charleston, SC – The Music Farm
06/11 Charlotte, NC – Amos Southend
06/12 Knoxville, TN – The International
06/13 Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo
06/17 El Paso, TX – Tricky Falls
06/18 Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater
06/19 Tucson, AZ – Club XS
06/20 Phoenix, AZ – The Nile
06/21 Pomona, CA – The Glass House

[M0G]

^ Yeah I saw that yesterday. Might try to hit up the DC show on the 17th.

[joeypants]

If anything could drag me back to that swampy shit-hole we call "Gainesville," I suppose it's this.

[xZ1mM3r]

[youtube][/youtube]

[Kittaan]

If anything could drag me back to that swampy shit-hole we call "Gainesville," I suppose it's this.

Did you go?

[UndKeineZwEier]

Here's a fun new video for Physical Education:

[BBvideo 560,340][/BBvideo]

[xZ1mM3r]

Djentelman.

[liz]

Thanks for posting that Uke. Great band, they always put a smile on my face really uplifting music.

[UndKeineZwEier]

She's not bad, but it really makes me wonder what Ron Burgundy could do with this song.

[BBvideo 560,340][/BBvideo]

[Kittaan]

UKE, I think it's really great that you finally admitted you are a young flute-playing woman. Nice job, Djentlewoman.

[UndKeineZwEier]

Here's a previously unreleased Animals as Leaders tune.

[BBvideo 560,340][/BBvideo]

[Kittaan]

Here's a previously unreleased Animals as Leaders tune.

Great and interesting track. Nice to hear this. I can see why it didn't make the cut, but that's just due to the extremely high standard they set for themselves.

[UndKeineZwEier]

Surprised this hasn't been posted yet.

[hellboy]

Cool, an AAL recording that doesn't sound like balls. Looking forward to the full album.