Seeing that Kaospilot hasn’t released anything since their self-titled album dated six years back, I’d kinda forgotten about them. Well, maybe they weren’t forgotten, but forgiven for their absence. I remember seeing them live at a club in Oslo. They played an awesome set with a lefty drummer. That‘s actually all I remember seeing that it‘s more than half a decade ago.
Kaospilot are part of the inbred Oslo/Follo music scene, including Marius Ergo from Lukestar, Snöras, Truls and the Trees. To top it off Shadows is produced by Carl Vikman, the guy behind the meters of Lukestar’s momentum and Spellemann award-winner Lake Toba from last year. The sound resembles Lake Toba’s, but dirty and unpolished. The fact that this record has a “polluted” swing to it makes it even better. In other words, it sounds awesome. Kudos, Vikman.
I’m getting all sorts of sensations from this album. JR Ewing’s Ride Paranoia (2003) is an obvious one, but the record is more than that. It’s indeed a journey to the extremities from metal and hardcore, and I figure it will please both math-, prog metal- and hardcorefans, just like their brilliant label Fysisk Format states. Kaospilot mix 5/8’s and ductile guitar riffs and beats with the straight forward rock ‘n’ roll and hardcore-ish full throttle. This can best be heard on the track “Weak Hands May Equal Firm Valor” — a ridiculously great song with an epic metal riff. Hey, what the hell, add some strings and some horns on certain parts of this song and you have yourself Dimmu Borgir. I even hear Hot Snakes guitars on some songs. Now, I agree these references sound strange put together, but Shadows really doesn‘t.
Kaospilot has been touring with Converge and there are similarities between the two, but in my opinion Kaospilot appear more interesting. The record is dynamic and, in spite of complex songwriting, easy listening for hardcore fans. Where Converge stand out as brutal and gloomy, Kaospilot has a milder appearance. Not only because of the songs, but because of the brilliant vocals. Kaospilot blends the traditional hardcore-screaming and metal-gut-throating with Refused-like chit-chatting and melodious singing.
All together, Kaospilot serves you a brilliant and intellectual record that kicks your ass and makes love to you. Simultaneously. Sweet.
Album cover (US edition)
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2 Responses to “Standing in the shadows of pilots”
elling - March 18th, 2009 at 12:38
i likes u, framnes!
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