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Band name: The Old Dead Tree
Title: The Perpetual Motion
Genre: gothic /progressive/ death metal
Release Date: 2005-08-29
Record Company / Label: Season of Mist


Introduction

The Old Dead Tree, a name that reminds many people of March 2003 when their debut ‘The Nameless Disease’ came out. Like a hurricane this band impressed many metal fans. They made this record afer the suicide of their drummer and this gave a different dimension to this record. The deep emotions and the diversity of this band were soon discovered. They toured with bands like Opeth and Epica. Some new songs are played on the Summer Darkness festival in the Netherlands. Again the record is produced by Andy Classen (Krisiun, Dew Scented) and masterd by Goran Finberg (Opeth, In Flames) a powerfull combination.


Line-up

Manuel Munoz – Vocals, Guitars
Nicholas Chevrollier – Guitars
Vincent Danhier – Bass
Foued Moukid – Drums


Website


Song Review

01. Out of Breath – 5:24
I was a bit scared when I heard the first tones: the long expected continuator, how would it sound? There was no reason to be afraid, it is all very familiar and the typical melancholic feeling in the voice of Manuel is still there. The grunts are heavy and immidiatly the sound of the new drummer Foued is noticed: dry, and aggressive to give a strong base for the grunts. There are also new arrangements which makes it more professional than on the first record. The adrenaline grows during this song when TODT is searching for contrasts.

02. The Lost Boy – Unrelenting – 4:59
An oriental melodic intro, with a very unique drum sound, then the guitars come in like sirens: raw and omnious. ‘Perpetual Motion’ is everlasting movement, but also the ‘holy grail of the energy production.’ This band has so much energy inside that it is a well chosen name. The arrangements give a futuristic feeling, but Manuels lyrics are down to earth and shows his desperate emotions. He screams it out and touches you to the bone: you really feel that he is lost.

03. The Lost Boy – I Can’t Get Rid Of It – 1:48
An electric voice is mixed with the high riffs of an electric guitar: a dark theme. Then Manuel comes in: just close your eyes and let him guide you through the song. Then you will notice that all the songs are strongly connected to each other. The experimental themes are returning in a different way.

04. The Lost Boy – What Else Could We’ve Said – 6:08

Some guitarriffs are the base for the fragile voice of Manuel. The wind is blowing and the feeling gets darker and darker. It grabs you and won’t let you go. The seconds are ticking away together with an acoustic, spanish guitar pass trough in a heavy guitarpart: a strong balance between all those lines. Unexpected heavy, but still very sensitive. Then a melancholic part that reminds me of the last album of Life Of Agony. So detailed and these gentlemen have exceeded themselves again.

05. The Lost Boy – So Be It! – 4:01
Staight forward, totally in contrast with the melancholic mood, the guitars are coming up. Manuel also has the talent to have an aggressive grunt. Self secure and impregnated with heavy emotions the French men are blowing away everyone. They have found their path and with drummer Foued the circle is complete: perfection and they manage to stay raw and  grow in the feeling of the ‘The Nameless Disease.’ Every instument has its own unique line and it comes together in a strong mix where Manuel is the real translater of those concealed feelings.

06. Down – Every Day Life – 2:15
The guitars from Manuel and Nicholas are starting like it is a jam session, but then step by step the lines come together in rhythmic, acoustic part. The soft, melodic voice of Manuel brings the song to an higher level. You feel the emotion building up inside. A fragile and sensitive ballad that brings you to the climax of the story. Unexpectedly heavy the guitars change and the well known agression comes back.

07. Down - 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 – 3:48
The most progressive song on the whole record. All those separate parts: switching between instuments like bass, drum and guitars and also the vocal changes of Manuel makes the song interesting. The song starts with some light guitar riffs and a dry drum sound with the dreamy voice of Manuel then it turns around 180 degrees: the chorus is desperate, sensitive and heavy. All those elements are united. Together with the arrangements the band gives all they have inside.

08. Down – By The Way – 4:03
Unobserved the new song is started in the same line with the lighter guitarparts and without losing his power, Manuel is more modest. This song is more straight ahead and simple in his melody lines. The raw deathmetal sound is mixed with the more catchy vocal lines. A good contrast, because it is so typical for this band. The ‘old’ fans will find this back the basic sound, but this time with a more technical drum.

09. Down – My Friends – 3:04
Heavy and raw Manuel sets in. His grunts are carried by some real technical guitars and bass. Foued shows that he even can play faster and the power is back. A more up-tempo song full of emotions. I can imagine that this song live will be a pearl for the technical metal fans. Fast is the keyword and without losing their sensitive side, they show that everyone has grown in a technical way.

10. Down – Even If – 3:46
Dramatic and with some dawdling guitar lines Manuel remits his last agression, without using grunts. The contrast between his voice and the stong riffs are clear enough. Then he starts to scream and the songs grows out into a dynamic wave. Nicolas has more space to show his talent: technical, but also melodic and really experimental.

11. The Said Farytale - The Knock Out Song – 4:20
Even faster than before the guitar riffs come in with a heavy beat. It almost reminds the listener of old school deathmetal. Altough the grunts are aggressive and overwelming, the melody isn’t gone. The contrasts are back with backing vocals. This is without any doubt the most aggressive song. When the band wants to knock out eveyone, they managed to do that very well. Luckily the low bass part of Vincent introduces a more progressive part with a ‘talking’ side of Manuel.

12. The Said Farytale – This Is No Farewell – 2:33
The end is positive: a light song, with an acoustic guitar. No dark feelings, but a cristal clear sound. Harmonic guitar lines lead you trough the song. A last goodbye, serene and without any melancholic feelings.


Extra's

Non - promo version


Cover Picture




Technical Summary

Total playing time: 46:13
Total songs: 12


Conclusion

There is no doubt that The Old Dead Tree is a big name in the metal scene. With this record they are still growing and more important: the professionalism and ambition are there to discover new ways to create songs. When you know the band you can buy this record without any doubt. There are enough elements you will recognize: the strong voice of Manuel, the typical sound of the band. On the other hand there are people who will miss the raw underground sound of the band, but the new arrangements are well balanced and not overdone. When you are a metal fan who likes to listen to diverse songs, heavy metal parts, strong melody lines and are fond of melancholic vocals then this is the top record of the year. In the line of Opeth TODT breaks with the ‘traditional’ rules in the metal scene. This album will grow and will be one of the most outstanding records of 2005. As the last song says: this is no farewell, just a start of a promising future.


Rating

Music 10
Sound  10
Extra’s -
Total   10





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