Album Review: Leprous - Melodies of Atonement
Reviewed by Rich Oliver
It is safe to say that there is not another band that sounds like Leprous. This is despite the fact that the band have been a constant source of reinvention with each and every album having its own sound, feel and identity. Yet when you hear a Leprous song there is no uncertainty that it is Leprous you are listening to from the odd time signatures, gorgeous melodies, use of electronica and the biggest and most devastating weapon in their arsenal - the jaw dropping vocals of frontman Einar Solberg who has a voice that is so stunning it could probably stop time.
“Melodies Of Atonement”, which is the eight album from the Norwegian progressive band, feels like it takes ideas from previous albums whilst also pushing a new direction for the band. The band scaled back the heavy aspect of their sound on recent albums whilst incorporating more electronica and orchestral arrangements but this time round the orchestral sound has been stripped away and “focus everything more around the actual members of the band”. This means that the electronica elements have been heightened but also this album is far more guitar driven and is easily the heaviest release the band have done since “The Congregation” in 2015. So in essence this is an album that equally looks back and forwards and the next step in the evolution of Leprous.
This is a far harsher and darker Leprous than we have heard on record for a long time with some of the electronica elements having a menacing aura about them whilst the guitars have a downtuned doom-ness to them ensuring that songs such as ‘Atonement’, ‘Like A Sunken Ship’ and ‘Faceless’ are some of the heaviest Leprous have done for a long time. The whole album has a doom-laden feel to it with a bleak mood that is carried in morose songs such as ‘I Hear The Sirens’, ‘Starlight’ and ‘Self-Satisfied Lullaby’ but the darker feel doesn’t mean that these songs are any less engaging than what Leprous deliver with the melodies and hooks ensuring these songs are going to live rent free in your head for a while after listening.
The removal of the orchestral elements prevalent on previous album “Aphelion” means that the band really shine on “Melodies Of Atonement” with the keyboard and guitar work proving to be creative and enthralling whilst drummer Baard Kolstad demonstrates why he is seen as one of the finest drummers in progressive music. I said earlier how good a singer that Einar Solberg is and he really demonstrates his insane range on this album from the beautifully delicate, the soaring and stunning to ferocious screams. His vocals just have to be heard to be believed.
“Melodies Of Atonement” is another stunning victory for Leprous. The album is far more direct and in your face and the darker mood will definitely and heavier will definitely appeal to older fans of the band whilst fans who have got into the band from the later material will find the rich experimentation and luscious creativity that made albums such as “Malina” and “Pitfalls” such captivating listens. Leprous once again prove they are a unique and untouchable entity within the worlds of rock, metal and prog and “Melodies Of Atonement” contains many songs which are guaranteed Leprous classics.
