I'm quite surprised it's taken this long for me to officially give a nod to Anacrusis here on the site, as they're one of the more innovative and unquestionably unique progressive metal bands of all time. Formed in the late-80's as a diverse though harsher-edged unit, they had grown into a much more mature and adventurous (if still underappreciated) outfit by the time they called it quits in 1993, shortly after the release of their final album, "Screams and Whispers". And for the longest time I felt like "Screams and Whispers" was my favorite Anacrusis album, but as the years pass I'm not so sure anymore. The more I listen to it, the more their third full-length, "Manic Impressions" (released by Metal Blade in 1991), has slowly inched into that top spot. Make no mistake, "Screams and Whispers" is an absolute classic, and I recommend it just as highly as this material, but... I now feel like this record's just a hint more consistent in terms of overall songwriting quality.
If you've never heard the band, this album is where they really, truly started to come into their own and fully realize the foundation of their overall vision. Retaining just the right amount of the harsher, speedier thrash riffing and shrieking vocals from their debut, the technicality and diversity of the progressive influences really gelled here—with much more singing, melody, and far more memorable songwriting. This material also really set in stone the band's unique set of production values, as their guitar and bass tones are immediately recognizable, and have rarely been similarly utilized in this combination by any act since. Furthermore, their penchant for hard-panning the guitars in the mix makes for some great headphone listening, as you can really hear how the dual guitar lines differ and work alongside one another in tandem with the crisp basslines.
While "Screams and Whispers" contains a handful of absolutely stunning compositions, this album's standout, "What You Became", remains my favorite Anacrusis track of all time, and really hits home right off the fucking bat. Hell, even their cover of New Model Army's oddly titled "I Love the World" is fucking incredible. You can't lose. I definitely hope I'll introduce some new fans to these guys here, so... see what you think!
Anacrusis "What You Became"
Anacrusis "Dream Again"
Anacrusis "I Love the World" (New Model Army cover)
You've grown into this faceless mask and empty shell. And, like a ghost of your indulgence, you wear them well. Still haunting something, by your own hand, lost. And you shiver with the chilling sense. You've saved nothing for yourself... The lies, the games, devoid of guilt or shame. Now you resent what you became, and the reality of only you to blame...
This one's out of print, of course, but thanks to the band's criminally underrated status as more of a "cult favorite" you can still grab the CD for less than $2 at Amazon.com (and it's on iTunes as well, if you prefer).
Get It
Amazon.com
iTunes (mp3)
Comments
thanks Andrew for another great band i never knew about. i think they were a bit ahead of there time. if they were out now they would flourish.
4.25.2008 | By L.Ron
Thanks! As much as the new releases you review I enjoy these “classics” I’ve never heard of even more. Speaking of “criminally underrated,” I noticed Holy Terror in your weekly top artists a while back. Mind Wars is an amazing album that somehow gets very little attention.
4.25.2008 | By davehazard
I’ve heard this band in eternal loop after I found them with the “I love the world” track on a metal radio show back in 91. Still I think they were ahead of their time and made some brilliant stuff, and Manic Impressions is for sure their best effort.
Andrew, now that Anacrusis and Only Living Witness reviews came out, the #1 podium is still for Holy Terror :D REVIEW IT! I think those are my 3 most underated bands in metal.
Keep up the good work.
4.25.2008 | By Adriano
These guys are a St. Louis classic. pretty cool because i think they get more exposure outside of StL now than when they were around. they didn’t release a bad album, and almost everyone put Screams and Whispers at the top. But i’ve always preferred Suffering Hour. Manic definitely comes in second. but hey, to each his own. And their website appears to finally be down, but they had every album available for free download on there for a long time. Oh, and these guys indeed were WAAAAAY ahead of their time.
4.25.2008 | By johnnyx
I got Screams and Whispers many years ago and “Sound the Alarm” has remained one of my favorite songs ever. But, I never bothered to check out the rest of their catalog. I guess I’ll have to remedy that.
4.25.2008 | By gordeth
One of my absolute favories since “Reason”. I rarely meet anyone that knows of this band.
4.26.2008 | By justin
Great band, the last two albums were awesome. I’d give the edge to Screams and Whispers though.
4.26.2008 | By Paul
NICE! Another band I never got into back in the day - evidently I missed out. This stuff is like a more melodic version of Beg to Differ-era Prong. Will have to check out more!
4.27.2008 | By Invisible Oranges
So good. Reminds me of thinking mans dark thrash like Coroner and some Forbidden moments. Not in style but more in the feel of the song. Like they were more serious about the art. Dare I say, more deep than their contemporaries.
Defiance’s Beyond Recognition also comes to mind when talking about said group of “deep” bands.
4.30.2008 | By Birkir
Check out this band. They had some elements that were somewhat similar to late period Anacrusis, but they came a few years later.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=112652813
4.30.2008 | By d