UNEVEN STRUCTURE

Paragon LONGBRANCH

Stripped down Gallic proggers still looking for the lodestone

Following the ambitious concept of 2017’s La Partition, Uneven Structure have trimmed some of the fat for their more streamlined third effort. That’s not to say there isn’t plenty of space left for the band to explore, with Paragon

feeling like a 50-minute track that constantly shifts and tricks the listener. After the dreamy opening of Magician, the band’s heavy nod to Meshuggah becomes apparent with the elasticated grooves, dissonant leads and complicated rhythmic battery of Hero and Outlaw.

Matthieu Romarin’s heavy vocals feature sparingly to increase their effect when fully unleashed, but his unconventional singing voice adds a unique air to the countless talented bands pushing the proggy djent boundaries. While there are times when the album is musically impressive but leaves little impression, Creator and Ruler move from gorgeous introspection to fullblooded peaks that make use of the exquisite, stateof-the-art production. ■■■■■■■■■■

FOR FANS OF: Tesseract, The Devin Townsend Project, Skyharbor

ADAM REES