Maximum Metal Rating Legend

“Of Patterns” is a three song demo from Ampast, apparent newcomers to the Norwegian metal scene. They classify themselves as prog-death metal, and I would have to say this classification is pretty accurate. You may be thinking, “Wow, prog-death metal! This is something I have never heard before! I should check them out!” Well… if you’ve heard Opeth before, then you have in fact heard this style done to death. In fact, there really isn’t much point to checking this band out at all. They’re just a more boring version of Opeth (this should especially repel those of you who think Opeth are boring to begin with).

I will give Ampast credit for executing well. Despite being recorded on the guitarist’s laptop computer, the sound quality of this demo is pretty good. In addition, all of the band members play their instruments very well – it’s obvious that they know what they’re doing. It’s such a shame that they turn out sounding like stunted Opeth clones, minus the clean vocals. The heavier parts transition to the proggy and/or acoustic parts in the same exact manner as Opeth’s. The vocalist growls in the same exact manner as Mikael Akerfeldt… albeit less skillfully and with less range. The songs range vaguely in length from six to eleven minutes… sound familiar? There are more similarities, but I don’t want to waste my time, nor yours.

If Ampast want to succeed, they must re-assess their musical goals and direction. As I mentioned before, they’ve got playing skill, just no writing creativity. Anyone interested in this style should go pick up “Ghost Reveries” instead; it’s still better than the monotony of “Of Patterns.”