ALBUM REVIEW: Vignette – Letters From The Colony

Sweden has a strong lineage in the realm of metal with technicality deep rooted into its core and LETTERS FROM THE COLONY plan to embed themselves at the forefront of the herd with their first full length effort Vignette available today via Nuclear Blast Records. Signing to a landmark label in such a short space of time shows that the quintet mean business especially after only self releasing two EPs previous to this release.

Galax gets the ball rolling introducing some calming, floating riffs which reside in the background progressively building before a wall of frantic kick drums sneaks from out of the shadows like a bolt of lightning through your anatomy. With blastbeats aplenty setting the tone for what is to emerge you are encountered by a barrage of atmospherics and heightening intensity which harbours a sound siphoned from the current tech metal field in quite a mechanical but inviting fashion alongside eerily manipulated guitar tones and a minimalistic interlude thrown in for good measure.

Erasing Contrast was one of the first glimpses we got into what was on offer in Vignette and their logic can’t be faulted for choosing this track as it still includes the high level of technicality available throughout but feels a bit more accessible and less bewildering than some of its counterparts, nicely setting the stage as a warm up for the impending insanity.The Final Warning ups the pace with some disjointed punchy riffing and utterly face melting vocal passages from Alexander Backlund. Fan’s of unpredictable guitar work being fired at you from all angles will lap this track up.

This Creature Will Haunt Us Forever supplies a welcome recess from the ongoing chaos with a brief bout of relaxing harmonics before Cataclysm launches a volley of blastbeats towards you alongside intricate riffing which seamlessly transitions between hefty downtuned strikes and sharply contrasting overlays. Priorly released Terminus is relatively subdued in comparison but still sounds utterly evil. Opening with bludgeoning bass riffs which jab their way through the mix as the kick drums go into overdrive delivering bursts of clinical GOJIRA-esq ferocity. Glass Palaces feels like a genetic splicing operation combining elements of MESHUGGAH, SIKTH and OPETH as its metronomic kick drums provide the rigid backbone to the instrumentation whilst jazzy frenzied riffing comes to the forefront involving some quirky solo experimentation. As the song progresses you are welcomed with a smooth interlude filled with a peaceful intervention of sleak guitar work before furious waves of vocal aggression flow over the track.

Sunwise continues the upbeat vibes with groove ridden drum fill/cymbal combinations which would make Chris Adler smile in approval. The textures on show on this track in particular follow more of a Djent sentiment but it provides an absolutely crushing round of blows which is impossible not to appreciate and become engrossed amongst. Vignette gives off the immediate impression that it could well cause indigestion with its massive 12 minute track time but it is almost a quick overview of everything you have experienced so far. The unbridled insanity, gentle intervals and atmospheric vibrancy all wound into one neatly executed synopsis which perfectly rounds off the album.

There are already an abundance of technically proficient bands on the circuit and progressive metal is becoming a fiercely competitive genre but LETTERS FROM THE COLONY have ran headfirst into the middle of the pack like a raging bull with their own brand of syncopated poly-rhythmic whirlwind. It may not be redefining the scene but it is certainly a well polished, precise and well constructed composition which keeps your focus throughout with its entertaining twists and turns whilst giving nods to their influences as Vignette progresses. If they can continue to create diverse material and maintain the momentum they are quickly gaining into the next album cycle we could have a gem on our hands.

Rating: 8/10

Vignette is out now via Nuclear Blast Records.

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