Album Review // 2020-12-10

Uneven Structure

Februus

Released: 2011-10-31

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A few songs by Uneven Structure made it to my first playlist. One is particularly enjoyable to me, Outlaw. It is a go-to song for many different moods. I wanted to know what else this band has to offer, and according to their fans, this is the album to check out by them (there could be differences of opinions, obviously).

Apparently Februus is a god connected to the underworld in mythology. He is tied to purification. Some say the underworld needs cleansing and purification, so he has lots to do. There is a connection to the month of February.

When I think of February, I think of snow and winter being partly over. I think of my birthday.

Apparently, this band comes up with an album concept, then the music, then the lyrics. 

I read an interview where Igor, the guitarist, said that he didn't like laying out what any of their albums/songs were about. He liked fans to interpret them in their own way. So, though I am sure I haven't interpreted things exactly the way the band conceived it, this is my take.

Album Art

This artwork has an organic quality to it but also extraterrestrial or out of worldly. Almost seems like plants growing with parts that light up. I think it is interesting but not anything I would want hanging on my wall.

Mood

Go with the flow. Relaxing. Ethereal.

Vocals

I love this vocalist! I think he does a good relaxed singing voice and an excellent scream! Just right for me!

Music

This album seems to be bassy and chunky but also softened and flowing. There are moments within a song that are repetitive, something that can sometimes irritate me, but the way it is used here actually relaxes me. There is the added layer of ambient guitar that gives it more atmosphere. 

I wasn’t expecting this vibe from this band. 

Lyrics

The lyrics in all the songs seem to work together to create a flowing narrative. They do have an abstract way of saying something that could be said more easily. I guess that is what art is a lot of times; taking something said or interpreted one way, and presenting it differently. Some of these lyrics took me reading them several times to comprehend.

Awaken

This seems to be starting at birth. One can only imagine the experience, since no one can truly remember it. But it could be compared to be taken out of a place that is comfortable, that you need to get out of, but don’t want to.

Freedfrom the womb, an overwhelming light surrounds everything
Expelledthrough this intense breach
Awhole new set of perceptions gives warmth
The coziness of gestation has come to an end
Genesisof a new cycle, the dawn of life

Frost

I get the feeling that this song is watching something taking place. There is little or no control. You are a victim of your senses, the flow of pain is happening to you. Obviously, there are varied ideas on if free will is a thing or just an illusion. Varied ideas on what free will even is. Maybe it is the alignment of your senses. The next stage after birth, where you experience the world through your senses.

Aflawless void pours into the indefinite shell
Extinguishingthe inner discomfort, drowning it
Andwiping the haze out of these glass bulwarks
Emptinessof Everything magnifies thy sensitivity
Asthe pain slowly reabsorbs and lets the channels free

Everylittle stimulation reproduces an ersatz of freewill
Informations runs through these freshly born pits of senses
The revigorating effect buries the verity of the context
Now the assimilation (is done), host of an education.

Hail

The song feels like it is using rain as a sort a force that comes and washes down through the layers. Then maybe after this experience you start letting go of things. It doesn’t talk specifically about hail. Hail seems like a different beast. I suppose once the hailstones are laying around they will thaw and dissolve into the ground. In a sense there is a similarity. But hail is more violent. I have definitely experienced rain much more, personally. Rarely get hail here. I actually find a warm rain invigorating and energizing!

Wallsof rain washes out the innocence
Themagnificent flood carves the letters down the flesh
Hierarchyslips into the felt strings - Alterating it all
Facingthe preys as if they were real threats - Schism
Paranoidillusions leading to an higher step of evolution
Alull in the storm
Scatteredclouds
Atthe break of the day
Theallayer of fears
Dissipatesthe marks
Driesout the swamping lands
Aswater resorbs, ground can finally be seen
Veryfirst sensation of an embodied existence
Fertilitywelcomes an higher comfort
Anabode where experiences can melt.

Exmersion

Instrumental.

Buds

This makes me picture flowers growing in every direction, that capture your attention. You are trying to stay on track and do what you “should”. You are wondering if you need to cut them down or if they are a part of your path.

Irationally straighten the surroundings, theorise therandomness
Scraping the surface, infinite bandings are exposed
Hypnotized by the vertigiousness of things to come
I break the ropes of whiteness out and burst into buds
Getting closer to a well-defined path
A chess-like game where all pieces are mine
Buds, sprouts
Boundless in cognition
Escalating the tower of Babel
The coiled design mesmerizes me
Am I taking this for the promised land?
Bemused by this opportunity
The fragile balance is lost

Awe

I am really not sure about this. Maybe you don't understand but feel that things are amazing.

Escapingthe uncertainness of these realms
A ceremony to seat the presidency of a now frigid blossom
Desire spouts down the surface
Eroding this illusion of wellness
Once taking one's lump through hail
I am now casting it back, hampering it all
Evoking awe.

Quittance

I think this speaks to a realization that you are not where you wanted to be. You are disappointed in yourself.

I personally have a high expectation for myself. One that I cannot meet.

Aregretful instant breaks
This is not the road leading to fullness
This is not what I wanted to reach
This is not the place I belong to
This is not where I was supposed to land
This is not the aim of this routine
This is not why I did build this
This is not a conclusion
This is not who I was meant to be
Why this discrepancy
A cause lost into fraudulent behaviors
Depicting a strong weakness of the self
All integrity shattered in million pieces
Mislead into temptation

Limbo

Instrumental.

Plentitude

This seems like a transformation or experience taking place. It could maybe be compared to out of body experiences, or what some people would say death is like. You now know more, you don’t have pain, you are surrounded by light.

Nolonger connected to the ground
Theultimate ascension is triggered
Nolonger obstructed from my condition
Everythingis revealed
Curvescrossing and dead ends are all past
Thevivid chunk is standing out in front of me
Stillout of reach it irradiates my essence
Lastbreath before air turns into light

Finale

Instrumental.

Dew UponShapeless Bounds

Instrumental.

Winds From UntoldMemories

Instrumental.

Promises Of OurEarly Days

Instrumental.

Playlist Pick

The first time I set out time to listen to this album was in the evening. I literally was closing my eyes and drifting off, which speaks to the relaxing nature of it. 

This is one of the hardest albums to choose a song or two from. It just seems like it is an all encompassing experience. Maybe best enjoyed from start to finish? Although I have listened to two songs from this album already on a playlist, I wasn't aware of this prior to listening to the whole album, so obviously songs can be enjoyed separately.

I am going to step out and do things differently on this one. I am not going to add any songs to my playlist. Instead, I will use this album in its entirety, when I need to chill.