Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Britain may be, in some eyes, the epitome of Metal and the often derided, and yet fulfilling, centre of the Progressive movement, but there is no denying the sense of beauty and epic which comes from the heartlands of Scandinavia, that the ability to weave a glorious tale that unmistakably captures the essence of old Norse sagas and stories that brought to life the world of heroes such as Beowulf, of Thor, and Odin.
Far from Hiding From The World, Norse Metal has long been an intricate and hugely influential addition to the genre, but away from the specialist fan or the supposed more renowned names that have infiltrated the ears of the British public as they wander uneasily away from their obsession from the American invasion and their routine adoration of bands that have dominated their thoughts for 40 years. Far from Hiding From The World, bands such as Communic have been giving those who listen thrills and insights which simply nourish the mind and give access to a different way of thinking and belief, emotional feedback, demonstrative expressions to which the Progressive Metal fan will not only delight in, but demand more of, to move away from the often cliched narrative and into a realm where experiment is not to be sneered at, but embraced.
In Communic’s latest studio album, Hiding From The World, tracks such as My Temple of Pride, Face In The Crowd, Scavengers Await, the finale of Forgotten and the album title track of Hiding From The World, Communic powerfully stride through the album with almost regal intent, not just with charm and depth, but with class, with symphonic emotional attachment.
Charm can be superficial, depth can be exaggerated and misplaced, but class, that truly is permanent and real, and one that is not afraid to put its head above the parapet and refuse to hide from anybody, from the naysayers, from the rumour-mongers, from those that are musically blind. Hiding From The World might keep you out of danger, hiding in your shell might give relief, but it doesn’t allow your voice, your vision, to be seen and felt; a realisation that Communic have no fear in relaying to the world.
Communic release Hiding From The World on the 20th November on AFM Records.