ALBUM REVIEW: Alase - A Matter Of Time

Finnish metal band, Alase, bring forth their second studio album, A Matter Of Time, featuring their iconic melting pot of various genres within progressive metal. Their specialism and focus is on melody and atmosphere and show off influences outside of the metal world. 

Alase is similar to and for fans of Katatonia, A Perfect Circle, The Ocean, Textures and Tesseract.

Nine seconds into ‘Understanding The Waves’ and my first impressions have set in, “Goodness this album is going to have a lot to unpack” it resonates on another level and the artwork perfectly paints an image of how this album sounds. It is indeed progressive, without a dull moment and this track does pull and push like waves. Every instrument and vocal sings and gets my heart pumping in seconds, it’s thrilling and exhilarating - gentleness meets ferocious meaty riffs with drop tuning make for some nasty evil tones. Impressive screaming vocals I feel are on par with Nergal from Behemoth, which in my eyes is a high compliment, it keeps me familiar and enticed. This 5 minute and 11 seconds track puts the listener on quite the epic journey.

Clear Sky Is Not A Curse- Beautiful slow melody paired with Chuggy drones and immaculate drums. Very empowering- “I can handle the storms” delayed lyrics at the end fading out gives chills.

Fate’s Inventions - Very harsh screaming introduces this track with some slow high-siren guitar Before blast beating into a chorus. I find this one is the most intense on the album.

‘Unburden’ Riffs are easier to follow in this one as it loops back in the first section and as it progresses becomes a little disjointed - but the best way possible, it contrasts light and dark. The lyrics “You have every right to be tired, You have every right to be tired, They don’t know how much you are willing to let go, to see them grow” sticks with me and is fitting for this modern growing society. It’s an overall empowering and healing song. 

‘Life ahead’  is a gentle ocean, the panning is relaxing as a clean riff takes place and vocals gracefully float in. driving deeper in melody. This track is what I call a gentle classic rock riff that progresses and gently adds distortion as it continues to uplift. I very rarely use the word beautiful to describe a whole track but this is the epitome and has righteously earned it. 

‘The Source’- This one brings back a much darker tone, opening with the thunder of bass and produces the feeling of uncomfortable anticipation and a whirlwind of anxiety portrayed by the fast rhythms and riffs. The choices of chords are so cleverly used - things of which I feel that doesn't work but in a split second does, it adds the uncomfortable. Tremolo picking is an awe-inspiring sound that sits nicely in the centre of this mix, it’s not too in your face and over all creates an enthralling atmosphere.

‘Out of place’ starts with non-lyrical vocals that are so mesmerizing and it reflects back to previous tracks on the album. The vocals take on a dark viscous tone. There’s a lonely melancholy atmosphere in this track that I can’t put into words but the best I can describe is that the track makes the world feel larger, the narrator feels small and is alienated amongst people. The bass is very prominent and strong in this track. 

‘Feeling Free’ Is a lovely piano lullaby with lots of air and room to breathe with very dramatic percussion and cinematics with a midpoint that brings the air to a close for a moment with grand solos. By the end of the track the vocals become closer and intimate with the listener.

The final track, ‘Ajan Kysymys’, translates to A Matter Of Time in Finnish, sang in the native tongue of the band of which is absolutely impeccable, It is a staple of origins. As an English speaker and having gone through the entire album, I don’t need a translation, I just simply feel.

My overall  impression-  Lead vocals are so thick and silky and clean and screaming vocals are all beefy. This album is profound musically and shows off the best technical skills I have heard in a while.
The overall feeling is something otherworldly and larger, to expand, this album is the musical equivalent to believing in a higher power. It is another album I have listened to that I deem is not an easy listen for the best reason - it needs your full attention always and the way it grasps your attention makes your time and patience worthwhile. I find there are subjects in this album that are hard to tackle but are easily relatable and musically it reflects those feelings harshly in some tracks as well as creating a soft blanket in others.

Solos, techniques and Riffs are all used in moderation- there’s no overly showing off but it’s enough to be impressed and not get bored which is a sign of good songwriting and musicianship. Each track highlights the talents and uses of all instruments- each has a place to show off their skills which I find balances the entire album, to add, I find that most albums that want to demonstrate soloing or skills can be overwhelming in one track or throughout an album can create a boring and samey album but by having progressing and weaving songwriting and space such as this album, Alase has surely created the perfect space and balance.