Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Frantic Bleep – The Sense Apparatus – 2005 – Elitist Records

Track Listing 1. A Survey 2. The Expulsion 3. Sins of Omission 4. …But a Memory 5. Mausolos 6. Curtain Raiser 7. Mandaughter 8. Nebolous Termini 9. Cone

Frantic Bleep, a band from Norway who are debuting their very first full-length, has released a very interesting album here. The Sense apparatus is very diverse, showing a many-faceted approach to metal. Labeling it “progressive metal” would probably be pretty accurate, but there are definetley some other influences present as well. Singer Paul Mozart Bjørke has three distinct styles that he uses – clean, raspy, and grim. The grim screeches only make an appearance on one track – Mandaughter – and at first seemed out of place. Upon further listening, they really seem to go nicely with the song and contrast well with the clean vocals. The rasps also only make a few appearances, most notably on …But a memory. Bjørke’s clean vocals, which dominate the album, have their own distinct sound. Comparing them to anything would be a bit of a stretch, but they seem most similar to those of Stefan Zell from Wolverine. The guitars on this album are very creative at some points, especially during Sins of Omission. However, at other times they seem very bland an unexciting. There is a liberal usage of piano and synth on this album, which give it a little extra uniqueness. The drumming is fast at times but isn’t anything impressive. Overall, this album has more or less an equal amount of ups and downs, but as with any debut things can’t be perfect. Frantic Bleep seems like a band with a lot of potential, and hopefully they improve over future releases. Fans of other Scandinavian progressive metal such as Wolverine or Opeth will probably enjoy Frantic Bleep.


6.5/10

--Veritas