BURST — Lazarus Bird (review)

BURST — Lazarus Bird album cover Album · 2008 · Progressive Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
Conor Fynes
'Lazarus Bird' - Burst (8/10)

The fifth album by this interesting act in progressive metal, Burst originally began as a much rawer hardcore/metalcore act, but has since moved down a more complex and progressive path with their music. 'Lazarus Bird' is the first I had heard of this Swedish ensemble. Like many other bands in progressive metal ironically, Burst will easily draw some comparisons to other bands' sounds from the first listen onwards, but for what it may lack in distinct sound, it makes up in sheer power and energy. Although I have enjoyed very little metalcore I have listened to in the past, it is clear with 'Lazarus Bird' that Burst has risen beyond the confines of that genre to become something much greater. Put simply; 'Lazarus Bird' is an excellent album.

The sound here amounts to an organic mixture of riff-oriented metal, jazz, and complex song structures. While this pairing has been seen countless times before now, Burst distinguishes themselves by how well they merge the two into a cohesive sound. While some (quite famous) bands in progressive metal do tend switch between heavy and light moments to create a sense of dynamic in the music, the two are usually kept fairly distinct from each other. Burst can move from a sludgy riff barrage to a jazzy post-rock build up, and it feels completely natural. However, the quieter, more subtle side of 'Lazarus Bird' does shine quite a bit more than the metallic element. While the crunchy riffs and somewhat tired metalcore-derived shouts have their place and are quite above average for their style, the jazz aspect of Burst is quite a bit more interesting, keeping things both progressive yet melodic and beautiful to listen to.

Be that as it may, there is quite a bit of meat on the bones of the heavy sections. Although things usually amount to sludgy riffs, the songwriting stays tight, and need one even mention the drumming, which is quite simply excellent and greatly fitting of the style that Burst plays. At times there is a sense of rhythmic experimentation, but usually the progressive spirit of Burst is kept in the intensely successful dynamics. When drawing comparisons to the sounds of other bands, there is one that stands out more than any other, and a band I was constantly reminded of when listening to 'Lazarus Bird'. In virtually every aspect of Burst's sludgy element, they sound like a carbon copy of the American band Mastodon. Even though it feels like Burst does this style even better than Mastodon, the fact that Burst has not yet identified themselves with a truly unique sound makes it that much more difficult to regard 'Lazarus Bird' as a masterpiece, even though it has plenty of potential to be one.
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