Diagonal “The Second Mechanism” Album Review
Diagonal “The Second Mechanism”
Review By Mike Scofield
Diagonal hailing from Brighton U.K., Emerge with their anticipated sophomore release “The Second Mechanism” bringing the stoner metal influenced Fusion Jazz back, and in strange fervor. The album is to be released by Rise Above Records in the U.K./Europe, and Metal Blade is set to release it here in the States. Diagonal seem to be an unusual act to be surfacing on non-jazz associated outlets. I for one, am completely surprised their album is going to be released on the same label that brought you such acts as “God Dethroned” and “Cattle Decapitation”. By backing this product, Metal Blade is certainly looking to mix it up. Some of you might also ask: Why on earth would we be reviewing this band on a punk rock based website? Well, in a way Fusion (Jazz rock) is a precursor to where we are now with heavy music. The influence of Jazz can be heard in many bands, most notoriously with Refused and The Dillinger Escape Plan. Jazz Legends Frank Zappa and Captain Beefhart paved a lot of ground doing exactly whatever the hell they wanted and weirding out everybody in the process. So I’d say their approach was punk rock, but thats a whole other discussion altogether. However, I must recommend all you Misfits and Green Day fans count this album out of your discography its a little too “advanced”, and for the metal heads, I’d steer clear if you’re not ready to “nerd out”. As for all the Jethro Tull fans and 60’s era dads, there are no issues to be had; Lets dive right in.
Available November 20th
Track list:
Voyage/Paralysis
These Yellow Sands
Mitochondria
Hulks
Capsize
The album opens with the track “Voyage Paralysis”; A strange computer sample slowly emerges from the void of silence, and a seemingly rock and roll guitar riff plays over a basic downbeat. Having never heard of or listened to this band before, it is at 3:14 that I realize that this is Jazz music. At 4:36 an dissonant guitar riff turns spooky once the synthesizers enter the mix, and I find myself feeling paranoid. The thematic quality of the melodies, urge me to want to watch old episodes of Star Trek on mute, and blast this music.
“These Yellow Sands” is a dead give away. These guys are big on Zappa, I can hear some homage to Weather Report and I must reference Sun Ra. The song begins with a laid back jam, among synth overtones that suggest ominous stellar orbits. As the song builds its groove, the drums expand offering warm tones that accent the melodies with exceptional precision. It gets quite epic during the solo section.
“Mitochondria” starts out with a droning melody that feels just as comical as it does creepy. The song then begins to narrate the undoing of your reality (much like a twilight zone episode), through Zappa-esque guitars and accompanying saxophone parts. The music here is reminiscent of older Stanley Clarke, but without the slap bass. At 7:35, The 70’s come to an end as the guitar churns out more stoner metal licks, and we’re back to the rock.
“Hulks” throws another curve at us by including some vocals into the mix, which the lack of vocal is apparently a departure for this band. The Vocals invoke that of a cosmic minstrel crooning amidst Gothic sounding “oooo’s” and “oohh’s” from female voices in the distance. Then the saxophone comes in and well..its like the rest of the music on this album: Jazzy and weird. I want to laugh and I want to say that it is awesome, but I’m not ready to say which one yet. Can I do both?
“Capsize” ends the record just as mysterious as it began. Then it gets kind of cool as it evolves into an up tempo space age groove. Its at this point that I’m ready to accept what I’m listening to, I’m ready to open my mind up to alternative theories of reality. I am willing to rock out to some tasty jams that don’t resemble anything conventional. I’m ready to go back to my dad’s house and bust out those old Miles Davis and Chick Korea records.
Here’s the deal, if you are the kind of 17 year old musician that has 52 albums of Frank Zappa on his I-pod you’re going to love “Diagonal”. A word to the wise for those in attempts of a first listen, if you are hearing what “Buzz” there is about this band and are not expecting throwback jazz rock, don’t bother. Don’t waste your time, or their fan’s time even trying to critique it. It’s too authentic to really establish an objective value to it. What Diagonal “do” on “The Second Mechanism” is old school Fusion Jazz music. If this album were to be sent back in time there would be absolutely no objection, its that tributary. These guys can play, and they are all about the jam. While I can appreciate diagonal for what they do, I’d much rather be listening to something else. Chances are your hippie dad will like this more than you will. I know mine would love it.
No tour dates have been posted yet.
Punkworldviews.com will update the article as they are posted.
About the Author
Denise Borders 39, Los Angeles. Denise founded PWV in 2008 and remains the primary manager and photographer/videographer. She is not secretly obsessed with Joey Cape.
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