Strawb Returns!

Our good friend from across the pond Strawb returns with some reviews. First, he takes a gander at the new self titled, debut EP from California's Abnormal Thought Patterns (not exactly difficult to see where such a name comes from, now, is it?)

Take it away, Strawb!



Abnormal Thought Patterns Abnormal Thought Patterns

CynNormal Lab Recordings

Review By: Strawb

“Abnormal Thought Patterns are a long way from the mainstream, and at the time of writing, are unsigned. They describe their music as experimental metal/ progressive. This intriguing combination of a description was what first drew me to review this title – my daughter had introduced me to Agalloch recently, and they are similarly ambiguous in their self –description. I liked Agalloch, and I had hopes that Abnormal Thought Patterns would make the same impression.

If your liking is for long convoluted lyrics, or, any other form of verbosity at all, then this three-piece from Pleasanton, California, are not for you as this self titled EP is totally instrumental. And, in the way of prog, there is some musical skill on offer here. There is also a lot of noodling, a good amount of key changing, variations of pace, and thoughtful structure and composition.

Abnormal Thought Patterns opens with a burst of sound which would be suitable for one of the more obscure Sci-Fi shows out there before hitting the mark of classic prog. No element overpowers any of the others at any time and the blending is very good. “Velocity And Acceleration 1” immediately brought early Yes to mind; not in a plagiaristic way, but, in a heavily influenced one, instead, with heavier and more vicious drumming, and a faster and more maintained pace.

The transition into “Velocity And Acceleration 2” is noticeable, and the pace and thrust of the delivery rise at this point. A tad fluttery for my tastes in the last 20% or so of the song, and then blasts back as the song transitions to “Velocity And Acceleration 3.” The change to “Velocity And Acceleration 4” is not so smooth a transition, however, and, by now, I am looking slightly towards my watch for a change of title. Luckily, “...4” is relatively short and “Ulnar Nerve Damage” brings welcome variation for its full 51 seconds. “Electric Sun,” the closing track, does manage to stretch out to a massive five minutes 20 seconds, barely a key change in prog terms as it is.

Abnormal Thought Patterns will not be readily played by me on too many occasions, but, as a way for a band to put themselves on the map, the album has merit. If instrumental experimental prog is your game, then Abnormal Thought Patterns is definitely worth your time.”

Abnormal Thought Patterns Official MySpace

Thanks, Strawb! I must admit that I, somehwat surprisingly, liked this album quite a bit, and found the lack of vocals refreshing. The instrumental approach requires the utmost thought in songwriting, a trait that I find to be lacking in a lot of progressive technical death metal. I also found this album to be a nice complement to the new instrumental EP from Blotted Science, The Anatomy Of Entomology.