Album review: JAPAETI – Abacus

Self Release (Release date – out now)

Technical, progressive metal is a genre inhabited by musicians of undoubted talent and quite possibly a history of insanity within their family. Quite how a group of musos can sit down with their chosen instruments and produce an album as unhinged as this is a mystery to me.

Japaeti have been together for a number of years and all are excellent musicians. What they create is extreme prog metal which is challenging both musically and aurally, it would have lovers of melodic rock running for the hills.

There are many influences on show from Devin Townsend and Nine Inch Nails to the odd jazz flurry and a touch of Zappa thrown in. The album opens with two tracks which are probably the most extreme, ‘’Milestone’ and ‘Beyond Their Capabilities’, which are full-on instrumental tracks. Both contain sharp, jagged riffs, multiple time changes, intricate but brutal drum patterns and really test the listener in the extreme.

Things slow down a bit on the next track, ‘They Don’t Understand’, but are no less challenging, the jazz influence is clear throughout. The other four numbers contain wild passages coupled with quieter interludes, there is even the odd vocal thrown in from time to time. Again the playing throughout is first class and the technical skill on show is breathtaking.

Did I like it ? To be honest, I’m still not sure. I was impressed by the musicianship, especially the drumming of Tom Rasulo, but I found it a tiring album to listen to as there is so much going on. Tune and melody are also posted missing in favour of technical workouts in the most part. Overall then an interesting listen but not something I suspect that would have you hitting the ‘repeat’ button.

**1/2

David Wilson

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)