Transhuman

Metal Blade

Pennsylvania based technical thrashers Believer who reunited in 2009 after a sixteen year hiatus have returned with their second post reunion offering titled Transhuman. Hot off the heels of their triumphant return Gabriel, this new endeavor finds the band yet again exploring new territories as their sound increases melodically and takes on an almost prog like direction. Band leader and vocalist/guitarist Kurt Bachman delivers more singing type vocals than what is found on any of the bands previous material and could serve to alienate many of Believer’s longtime fans who tend to embrace their thrash roots more so than the melodic direction they have opted for this go around. Nevertheless there are some genuine thrash favorites to be found amid the new vibes the band are selling.   

In addition to the musical transmutation that Believer have undergone, there is a definite departure in terms of lyrical direction as well since the guys have opted to distance themselves from the Christian premise on which much of their early work was based. In place of the theology lesson we are left with highly introspective, cryptic and mind challenging puzzles that only Bachman himself truly knows the meanings of. Undoubtedly they are very likely to develop a whole new generation of fans with this enthusiastic curbing of their art. As for old school fans like myself, the legendary Extraction From Mortality debut will probably always remain my favorite but songs such as “Clean Room”, Ego Machine, and “Traveler” found here on Transhuman are enough to peak my curiosity and keep me interested in what these profound musicians have to offer.

When it comes to Metal, a bands cover art is generally taken very seriously as there tends to be quite a bit of thought thrown into the end result. Criticisms have been voiced over the bands cover this time out in that it resembles the previous album a little too closely and I must concur. I really didn’t feel that there was much thought given this go around and I am definitely not a fan of the all white experience, that being said I do give them props for attempting something new even if the end result falls flat. All in all it is the music that matters most and I’d be very interested to see what Believer’s next album will entail as Transhuman while not a complete failure doesn’t quite live up to my expectations.

-Priest