NAMI: Fragile Alignments

Hailing from Andorra, a small country located between France and Spain, chances are you won't have heard of NAMI.

Originally formed by Sergi Verdeguer (Drums) and Jonathan Lemos (Guitarist), the rest of the band's lineup was quickly filled out by Roger Andreu (Vocals), Bernat Argemi (Guitars), and Ricard Tolosa (Bass), while Lemos being replaced by Filipe Baldaia (Guitars) shortly before production commenced on their debut album. For three years, the quintet has been recording this in the shadows of the Pyrenees Mountains.

The band then travelled to Örebro, Sweden where legendary producer Jens Bogren (Opeth, Amon Amarth, Katatonia) put the finishing touches on the project by mixing and mastering the new record.

The story arc of Fragile Alignments is developed through "the choices made by the album's central character "The Man": a representation of our modern humanity. Anchored by the themes of optimism and freedom, the album follows The Man on a secular journey towards his own enlightenment as he clashes with the natural world that surrounds him".

So there.

The record targets people who like Opeth, Meshuggah, Gojira, A Perfect Circle, Cynic and In Flames.

The opener reminds me, if I'm being honest, of friends of mine Ant and the Eagle. Which is a good thing.

It becomes much more metal-y after that short interlude, though, on "The Inner Man". Technical prog metal abounds, with Opeth growling, just as Opeth ditch growling and go down the more 'progressive' route.

"The Growing" sees proper singing, and fans of A Perfect Circle will enjoy this. Until The Growling begins.

It's one for fans of Opeth who miss the growling, then.

Track listing:
1. Awakening From Lethargy
2. The Inner Man: Materia
3. The Growing (Earth)
4. Oppression and Understanding (Fire)
5. Loop of Truth (The Link)
6. Cosmical Beginning (Air)
7. Conscience of the Void: From Oblivion to the Renew (Water)
8. The Inner Man: Antimateria
9. The Pattern

Added: September 21st 2011
Reviewer: Brian Watson
Score:
Related Link: Band MySpace Page
Hits: 2812
Language: english

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