Vipassi – Lightless
Vipassi – Lightless
Season Of Mist
Release Date: 26/01/24
Running Time: 50:13
Review by Oli Gonzalez
8/10
Vipassi. Noun. The 22nd of 28 Buddhas. Though in this case we’re not discussing key religious figures, but rather the Progressive Instrumental band Vipassi. A band based in Australia but drawing on members from France and the UK to create a truly international affair. With members from Progressive Metal heavyweights Ne Obliviscaris, Virvum, and more, you just know automatically that the level of skill is going to be exceptional. I was curious to see how an all instrumental affair with members of these acts would work. Vipassi and their latest release “Lightless” will satisfy this curiosity.
These are definitely not your standard popular music structured songs. No 4/4 times and verse-chorus-verse-chorus style patterns. No, you’ll find the music to be a lot more complex and sophisticated, with plenty to get your teeth into and to analyse. The juggernaut that is ‘Promethea’ perhaps illustrates this best, burning through multiple compositional ideas, and displaying a vast array of musical forms throughout. Yet rather than being a convoluted mess, the balance and progression of such movements is perfect, from ambient calmer passages to more frantic pulsating crescendos.
That’s not to say that Vipassi steer away from what has worked for decades in the genre. Rather, I’d say it’s a clever combination of innovation and classic components. Take ‘Labyrinthine Hex’, where complex polyrhythm drum beats are alternated between the good old fashioned blast beats you’d hear in extreme metal. In a similar vein, ‘Morningstar’ can effortlessly alternate between rather aesthetic synths and harmonic style guitar riffs, with some straight in your face skull crushing riffs!
Perhaps the most salient features in “Lightless” though are the basslines and how prominent they are in the compositions. Not just prominent but the lead instrument in most cases! This concept may not be new in metal but is still exceptionally rare. I was drawn to Death Metal act Beyond Creation for this very reason, while the late great Cliff Burton carved a legacy for this unique approach to the instrument. Still, as a former bassist myself, it’s nice to see the instrument getting used to its full potential and in a somewhat unconventional manner. After all, bassists need love too!
The melodic masterpiece that is ‘Neon Rain’ is one of my favourites on this album! Slightly different from the rest in that it appears to be simpler in structure, prioritising emotion and human feeling over structural complexity. Vipassi certainly achieved that goal with some blazing lead guitar passages sitting elegantly above a stunning ambient soundscape; a beautiful combination indeed. That’s not the first time the guitars take the lead role as melodic centrepiece with some elegant tones piercing through the mix in ‘Phainesthai‘.
Let’s talk about production. Well, there’s nothing really to add other than it was absolutely phenomenal! No need for over-analysis there!
As great an experience this was, sadly I do worry that Vipassi as a whole are very much a ‘specialist listen’, with instrumental progressive metal lacking mainstream appeal and being a tough sell for the majority. I’m sure that the minority of those who are into this style of music and who want something deeper and more complex will adore what’s on offer here. As I certainly did.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Lightless
02. Labyrinthine Hex
03. Morningstar
04. Shapshu
05. Phainesthai
06. Ruination Glow
07. Neon Rain
08. Promethea
LINE-UP:
Daniel Presland – Drums
Ben Boyle – Guitars & Synths
Arran McSporran – Fretless Bass
Benjamin Baret – Guitar Solos
LINKS:
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