When I read the promo sheet for MAUDLIN’s A Sign Of Time, I expected another one of those incredible uninspired Post Metal records, you know, slow, simple riffs, the quiet-loud-game, you’ve heard it, you name it, you get bored by it. Thankfully enough that’s not the case, as you might have already realized while listening to the stream we put up here in February. Although there are some reference points classifying A Sign Of Time as Post Metal or Metalgaze or whatever, MAUDLIN do a lot of things a lot differently. First outstanding factor for sure are the vocals, which are almost completely sung and not screamed, ranging from really beautiful melodic lines to more like Type-O-Negative’ish, dark chants. The way the vocals are performed adds a lot of versatility to this album. Sometimes it’s a bit over top for my taste, the singing I mean, sounding a bit too much like stadium rock (Like on Ride the second wave), but that’s probably my problem, isn’t it?
The other big plus on MAUDLIN’s side is the guitar playing. Not unlike Cave-In in their Jupiter era you get a lot of really cool, almost Prog’ish leads, which seem to knot themselves, wriggling their way through the nine songs on A Sign Of Time. The base for these leads are mostly rather extensive soundscapes, so this record isn’t as riff-orientated as a lot of others trying to establish themselves in that genre. Which doesn’t mean there ain’t no huge riffs on this full-length (btw MAUDLIN’s second one) – just give Goddess of the flame a spin for example, the opening riff is quite killer, and there are a few riffs of this manner to find, wisely placed and not overused, so they really remain interesting.
A Sing Of Time follows a lyrical concept, which probably isn’t that unusual if you consider MAUDLIN’s obvious love for Progressive Rock. Basically the lyrics deal with a near death experience, if I get it right. Pretty heady stuff here.
So objectively there isn’t anything to rant about. MAUDLIN have a shitload of ideas, are skilled musicians and perfectly avoid of being another generic Post Metal outfit, with a more progressive, at times even psychedelic view onto things. But speaking more subjectively, MAUDLIN just do not really get me. I mean I can listen to this and find a lot of things interesting and some things I really like, but when the record’s over I just don’t have the urgent need to turn it back on again. I suppose you have to check it out for yourself and see if A Sign Of Time clicks. If you’re a fan of the aforementioned Cave-in you should definitely give it a shot.
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