Author: Sandi Sadar Šoba
Artist: System Divide
Label: Metal Blade Records
Release: 2010
Length: 46:33
Rating: 5/5
Like we said, The Conscious Sedation is a hybrid of all of the above. And if you listen closely, you can even catch some power metal bits. They’re not the first to try something like this, but they’re surely one of the few who pulled it off almost invisibly. Another thing the band has going for it is vocalist Miri Milman, which isn’t an everyday sight in melodic death metal. She’s got a stunning voice and brings a variety to the band that’s very welcome. Besides her wonderful voice, there are also keyboards in the mix, adding yet another layer of depth.
Across the eleven tracks on the album, SD managed to do something only a handful of bands manage: there’s no monotony, and the songs lodge themselves in your ears fast. Even with the repeating vocals, it never gets boring. The band has made a masterpiece. You could even say the album is “no killer, no filler”.
The musicians in the band are phenomenal. They’re tight as hell and know exactly what they’ve got to do. But the one who really stands out is drummer Mike Heller, who clearly knows his way around a kit. The man is an absolute beast behind his set. The double pedals hammer the bass drums like a machine gun on a battlefield. Still, what’s most striking on the album are the two vocalists. Sven de Caluwe with his growl and Miri Milman with her beautiful voice create the perfect atmosphere, and amazingly, it all fits together nicely. Fun fact: Sven and Miri are married, and have been for 2 years. What else is there to say? The album is super polished and the production is right where it should be. Professional, no question. Everything is nicely tuned. The only trouble might come from listeners who are after extremity and brutality.
The album is recommended to everyone who’s a longtime fan of Aborted and old Leng Tch’e. If you like bands such as Lacuna Coil, there’s something in here for you too. And if you need more modern sounds and melodies, giving it a spin isn’t out of the question either. A lot of the album pulls toward Soilwork. In short… we wish the band lots of success going forward, and we’re looking forward to new heavy hitters that’ll park themselves in our auditory organs. And as Pinhead from the cult horror flick Hellraiser would say: “There is no good, there is no evil. There is only flesh.” In this case, the flesh is going to stay right with System Divide.
Lineup
Sven de Caluwe – vocals
Miri Milman – vocals
Michael Wilson – guitar
Cole Martinez – guitar
Andrew Lenthe – bass
Mike Heller – drums and percussion
Production
James Murphy & Cole Martinez
Tracklist
1. Vagaries of Perception
2. An Intoxicating Affair
3. Echoes
4. The Apex Doctrine
5. Lethargy
6. (n)Ether
7. Hollow
8. Purity In Imperfection
9. Repent/Forget
10. The Conscious Sedation
11. Stagnant Progression
