Search - Mnemic :: Passenger (Dig)

Let The Passenger Take You For A Ride.

Andrew Estes | Maine | 05/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As furious as it is catchy, as dense and layered as it is accessible, Mnemic's latest offering, "Passenger," is an album that has the ability to please just about anyone who loves a good shot of the heavy stuff. Taking obvious influence from groups ranging from Fear Factory to Deftones to Meshuggah, Mnemic do an exceptional job of sounding like something you've heard and loved before, and taking it to the next level, giving it a unique stamp.



Perhaps the biggest help would be in the band's new frontman, Guillaume Bideau, who can scream and shout with the best of them, yet can also handle and balance the melody beautifully, transcending punk rock and heavy metal simultaneously. The band is in top form here, with the rhythm section of bassist Tomas Cowan Koefoed and drummer Brian Rasmussen taking to the forefront and dominating each of the albums eleven tracks. Unfortunately, this doesn't leave much in the way of innovation for co-guitarists Rune Stigart and Mircea Gabriel Eftemie (do you realize what a pain it is to type these names?), as their work, while being solid in it's own right, just doesn't push the limits like the rest of the album.



But that's just fine, because on the whole, "Passenger" is a supreme album. The average listener isn't likely to find themselves getting bored, and after it's all done, you're left feeling like you've just heard something unique. True, the overall soundscape of the album isn't anything new to the genre, but how the band approaches their songwriting, in such an unpredictable, twisting and turning way is more than enough to keep you on your toes and scartching your head. I could get track into track with this album, but there's no point, really. Each song is just as strong as the next and after each listen, you'll surely want more. This isn't just senseless gushing, mind you. Out of all the albums I listen to on a regular basis, this one has truly captured me. Each time I listen, I find something new, which is why it deserves five stars. You're definitely getting your money's worth with this one."

Without Skipping a Beat

N. Kellogg | Katonah, NY United States | 03/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mneimc return after nearly 3 years with their follow-up to The Audio Injected Soul. But something is different. New vocalist Guilliaume Bideau, formerly of French tech-metal band Scarve, joins the group, picking it up perfectly where Michael Bøgballe left off. The Passenger has got all the industrial textures and polyrhythmic mayhem you'd expect from Mnemic, and then some. As for live, Guilliaume does the old songs better than one could hope. This CD should not be past up by previous fans of Mnemic and is highly recommended to fans of Meshuggah and Fear Factory. And while you're at it, head over and check out Scarve, Guilliaumes old band. You won't be disappointed."

Fasten seatbelts! 'Passenger' is one hell of a ride!

TheManWhoKnewTooMuch | Rockville, USA | 02/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"MNEMIC are one of the most promising modern metal bands out there - in fact, their debut and sophomore albums outshine just about anything released in extreme metal within the last 5 years. Both 'Mechanical Spin Phenomena' and 'The Audio Injected Soul' (the straighter, more accessible of the 2 discs) are brilliantly twisted amalgams of Meshuggah-esque polyrhythms, FFactory-style industrial coldness, and the catchiness of Gothenburg melo death masters Soilwork and feature some of the best songwriting anywhere. 'Passenger' still sounds unmistakably like MNEMIC yet is a noted departure in terms of production, style, and overall vibe. Now fronted by former Scarve vocalist Guillaume Bideau who displays an incredible range from clean, melodic singing to OTT screams and growls that border on the psychotic, much of the new album comes across as a lot more frantic, jagged, and sonically stripped down recalling Meshuggah's 'Chaosphere' and Canuck madmen Strapping Young Lad. While there are strong chorus hooks all over the place (first single 'Meaningless' being a prime example) the bulk of the songs take longer to fully wrap your brain around this time. But give it a few spins and 'Passenger' will reveal its many strengths albeit without quite reaching the genius level of earlier gems like 'Deathbox'. Still, nobody does it better than MNEMIC when it comes to facemelting-yet-sophisticated Bladerunner Metal and tunes such as 'In the Nothingness Black', the anthemic 'Pigf*ck', 'Electric I'd Hypocrisy', the stop-and-go bludgeon riffola of 'Stuck Here' (the sitar textures mid way give this a mad Oriental feel), or massive epic closer 'The Eye on Your Back', which climaxes beautifully in an almost cinematic fashion, will have you bow to these Danish new school gods! 'Passenger' is an early contender for metal album of the year - let's see who can step up to the plate and give these guys a run for their money."