STRUCTURES - Divided By CD Review

ARTIST: Structures
TITLE: Divided By
LABEL: Sumerian Records
YEAR: 2011
REVIEWED BY: Shawn Lefebvre

I have the privilege of reviewing the much-anticipated full-length Structures album “Divided By” recorded by Will Putney at The Machine Shop in New York. The new album is available everywhere on Monday October 24th on Sumerian Records.

Renown for their own brand of progressive hardcore, Structures have been the forerunners of the Canadian metal scene for many reasons. “Divided By” is Structures’ first full-length album and their follow-up to the wildly successful “All Of The Above” EP which was released independently in 2010.

Since their inception, the band have been constantly touring and paving the way for other underground Canadian metal bands like Dancing With Paris, Kingdoms, Norris and more.

This album is far more progressive and technically advanced than “All Of The Above”. It’s also much more melodic without ever sounding soft or contrived to appeal to a larger audience. Its offering of a largely dynamic approach to songwriting is incredibly welcomed to those looking for more than just devastating riffs but with that being said there is no shortage of those on this album either.The band has matured musically and have really focused on songwriting as opposed to writing a series of incoherent parts and riffs more-less passed on as a song like in the past. “Divided By” offers much more music than its predecessor, allowing its listeners to grab on to a marriage of melody, musical technicality and down right brutality. “Divided By” also features guest vocals by Frankie Palmeri of Emmure, Alex Erian of Despised Icon and Kevin McCaughey of Ion Dissonance which all complement Nick Xourafas’ vocals. This is not the type of record that could easily be broken down on an acoustic guitar at the camp fire by any stretch of the imagination – instead it beats you over the head with a mature metal perspective on the future of metalcore in Canada and the US – hopefully even the world.

The expectations were high for this record and the band has met and exceeded what was initially expected of them. The production on this album is exceptional for its genre, guitarists Spyros Georgiou and Brendon Padjasek push the band in anew dimension and each song has ample wow factor. Time signature and tempo changes are seamlessly executed by drummer Andrew McEnaney. Structures experiment with minus tracks or musical transitions between songs especially in the second half of the album, like the calm before the storm.

In metal, the mastery of one’s instrument is essential to the success of the band. Despite their young age, Structures have a coherent and complete view on what it is they have become. “Divided By” is a clear indication that Structures is a well-oiled machine ready to take on any contenders in the ring.

TRACKLISTING:

01. At Las
02. Hydroplaning
03. Encounter...
04. Paralyzed___
05. In Pursuit Of
06. Clockwork
07. Relapse; Signs.
08. Tunnel Vision
09. I.N.T.E.N.T.
10. /