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Vocals:  Jens Kidman
Guitars:  Frederick Thorendal, Marten Hagstrom
Bass:  Peter Nordin
Drums:  Tomas Haake

The first full CD by this Swedish death metal group (Contradictions Collapse does NOT count because it was a collection of songs from the previous releases).  With 13/8 timing for the drums and 4/4 time on the guitars, played with good speed mind you, the combination of the two creates a signature sound for the band that is rarely duplicated in mainstream metal.  In non-music timing terms, the drummer's hands are doing the equivalent of AC/DC's "Back In Black", while playing the intro of Van Halen's "Hot For Teacher" with his feet.  Add two guitarists (and an almost non-existent bassist) who follow the double bass of "Hot For Teacher" on down tuned 7-strings while completely ignoring the "Back In Black" part, and you have their sound.

This is the best CD put out by this band so far.  If you ever get the chance to buy this album or listen to it, do it!  I highly suggest the song "Future Breed Machine".  It is by far their best song, and in my eyes, their trademark.  The vocals can be described as listening to a Rottweiler's constant barking in combination with someone's dad yelling at his son because he caught him drinking Jack Daniels.  Works for some songs, but not well on others and can be tiring as well as repetitive at times.  However, the musical content more than makes up for it.  Be warned about the guitar solos. Definitely their own styles but they tend to sound like an organ.

Song Notes:

1. Future Breed Machine - The standard, the benchmark.  If you want to know what this band sounds like, this is the song.  A+
2. Beneath - Nice follow up to the previous, offbeat, but slower and lacking the visceral punch of the former.  Still... B
3. Soul Burn - Starts out slow.  However, give it time to warm up and you will not be upset.  Nice off beat drum/guitar work about 2:18 into the song.  B+
4. Transfixion - O.K. song.  Doesn't really seem to fit on the album, but not bad.  More of a standard metal song.  Slower than the others.  C+
5. Vanished - Once again an O.K. song.  Once again not their best work and a little slow, but better than Transfixion.  B-
6. Acrid Placidity - Slow ballad with no lyrics.  What would be considered to be an interlude or, dare I say it, "filler".  Good melodies and guitar work, though.  B-
7. Inside What's Within Behind - Ahhhh back into the metal.  Starts off heavy, interludes about 2:30 into the song, then at 3:30 just nice slow down tuned guitars into a fadeout.  B
8. Terminal Illusions - Abrasive and difficult to listen to.  One of my favorites.  Don't be fooled by the intro, when the drums kick in, I think of six carpenters on a roof banging the hell out of shingles.  A-
9. Suffer In Truth - This would be the best song on the album if it wasn't for Future Breed Machine.  Reminds me of the "Slayer format" that made them famous.  A little intro, then buildup, followed by a little more buildup as if to say "not yet, then explosion!  Very good song.  If you haven't heard this album, listen to this song after Future Breed Machine.  A
10. Sublevels - The outro song.  Good intro and main riffs.  Loses me a little in the solo but makes up for it when it gets back into the screaming.  Then it is followed by a typical heavy, soothing slowness, into a fadeout (if that is all possible).  A-

Average Song Rating:  B+
Overall Album Rating:  A-

Track Listing:
1.  Future Breed Machine
2.  Beneath
3.  Soul Burn
4.  Transfixion
5.  Vanished
6.  Acrid Placidity
7.  Inside What's Within Behind
8.  Terminal Illusions
9.  Suffer In Truth
10. Sublevels

Website:  www.meshuggah.net

Also be sure to read:
Meshuggah - I by Skin Splitter
Meshuggah - Nothing by Skin Splitter

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