SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: MESHUGGAH – IMMUTABLE

Meshuggah
Immutable
Atomic Fire Records

Fans of the Swedish metal band Meshuggah have waited six years for an album, and the band is now ready to deliver. Their ninth studio album, Immutable, is the follow-up to 2016’s The Violent Sleep of Reason, and is their longest album yet, clocking in at 66 minutes wrapped up in 13 tracks.

The album opens with the brutal hammering of “Broken Cog”, setting the tone for the next hour. It unexpectedly has clean vocals in the track, which are a little hard to hear over the domination of the drums. It then moves on to “The Abysmal Eye”, the album’s lead single, which showcases a badass guitar solo by Fredrik Thordenal. “Ligature Marks” gives a sense of impending doom, a little different sound than what they’re known for. It’s an exhilarating track, with melodic leads and a bit slower tempo. Even though the drums remain prominent throughout the album, you’ll notice the guitars will take you in different directions throughout the album. Jens Kidman’s throaty, growly vocals add an extra layer that will pick you up and spin you around in some places. There’s a clear divide between the first and the second half of the album, but it all flows nicely from beginning to end, keeping you engaged the entire time. “They Move Below” is the 9-and-a-half-min instrumental game changer that starts out mellow, but twists and turns and disorients you. I can only imagine the mosh pit that would ensue with this one. The album closes with “Past Tense”, another guitar-heavy instrumental, with nice clean, calming guitar sounds with no drums.

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