BLIND SEER – Apocalypse 2.0
- Posted on 22-06-2017
Daring to go where no other group has gone before, Belgian act Blind Seer live up to the experimental metal tag on "Apocalypse 2.0". With influences ranging from industrial to jazz, alternative to classic metal, and a bit of electronic/outer space themes in between, it’s little wonder that these 12 songs may cause a bit of motion sickness. Repetitive drum beats against cold keyboard pitch bends gives "Revolution" this Nine Inch Nails meets U2/Depeche Mode feel, the guitar ringing as strange as the occasional rap vocals. Asthar handles guitars, bass, synth, and theremin, while J-Mo as a drummer gives a respectable performance considering the varied, left-field arrangements and ideas on display.
Wan’s vocals can be rhythmic, or often an alternative to the proceedings – making for awkward train wreck moments during "Total War", but working effectively during the Voivod-ish meets 8-bit "Spirit in the Machine". Marilyn Manson and Fear Factory would be proud of the dark industrial overtones that penetrate "My Mind Can’t Feel", while the David Bowie cover "Starman" that closes "Apocalypse 2.0" gets a Blind Seer makeover between the additional guitar/keyboard loops and the unique phrasing/delivery vocally.
Blind Seer are cut from a different cloth – and will not sound like anything you expect. That can be to the good in establishing a fresh take on metal – as the fringes gravitate towards something special, something different. In the end, the aural stew approach doesn’t click well to these ears, as it’s tough to latch onto the hooks when everything seems more about experimentation as the overriding benchmark for musical achievement.