Envy – Recitation
In spite of what The Vapors will have you believe, I cannot turn Japanese. I really think so. I’ve tried, but I don’t speak the language and as I found out last week, I can’t even play one on TV. But that’s never stopped me from loving Japanese rock and metal ever since my old Napster days. Some of my favorite Japanese rockers I follow are Sigh, J, Galneryus, Blood Stain Child, and Envy.
Envy is an influential band who play the most disturbingly beautiful metal you’ll ever hear. Their music usually consists of slow, carefully craft music mixed with ambient sounds and spoken words. This music is influenced by classical, jazz, and folk. At some point the hardcore side of Envy smashes through and the mixture is breathtaking.
Recitation, Envy’s latest release continues building their legacy of musical art. In this release, Envy’s influence is none other than 80s new wave. Wait, hear me out. Imagine Robert Smith from The Cure or The Edge (U2) providing those wonderful guitar riffs they are known for, but instead of electronics, the rest of the band played hardcore. That’s what Envy has achieved in Recitation. I hear familiar guitar work that only passively reminds me of early Ministry or The Fixx, but that is the common theme through this whole album.
“Guidance” starts the album off with a soft organ and female spoken words, almost whispering. When the slow guitar of “Last hours of Eternity” begins, you might think this actually new age music. It’s certainly relaxing. Then heavy guitars, powerhouse drums, and screaming hardcore vocals finish the last third of the song. Envy doesn’t do this to shock you. Their dual approach to music isn’t meant to contrast the music; it’s meant to blend, to build into two overlapping synergies.
“Rain Clouds Running in a Holy Night” hits the ground running with the same 80s new wave guitar, a driving beat, and hardcore vocals. It’s as if listening to U2 and Hatebreed seamlessly jamming together. Another interesting style mixed in this album appears in “Lights and Solitude” and “A Hint and the Incapacity” with slow guitar and bass, reminiscent of Angelo Badalamenti’s outstanding score to the Twin Peaks television series.
By this point in their career, making hardcore music beautiful is old hat to Envy. But they have not faltered. Recitation is easily their best album since A Dead Sinking Story. Envy takes hardcore music into a surreal landscape of beauty and darkness coexisting. I know this sort of experimental music isn’t for everyone, but art is subjective. To me, Recitation epitomizes experimental music as a true art-form.
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24 Comments
September 5th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Great review, I had no idea where to start with this album but you found a way to capture it. Nice work!
[Reply to this comment]
Keith Anderson replied:
September 5th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
Thanks, Josh. I've been a fan of Envy for a long time. These guys are true musicians who are nearly on another plane. Their ability to beautify hardcore gets my utmost respect.
[Reply to this comment]
September 5th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
Awesome review, perfect score can't wait! You mentioned 80's influence you should also listen to the Envy/Jesu split , most melodic rock approach I would say their softest in a good way. I love their songs on that split!
They are on my list of my favorite bands I listen to on a daily basis. First record I picked up was All the Footprints You've Ever Left and the Fear Expecting Ahead recommended by the now defunct review website punkrocks.net.
They have been around a long time and create just top notch music everytime and being experimental by doing splits with the likes of Endeavor (Mike of Burnt By The Sun), Jesu (Justin B. Godflesh released by Hydra Head), and the Latest Thursday split is amazing a vinyl/cd combo lyrics for both bands english and japanese. I have every record less the new one yet!
I am just leaving a comment… I preordered the cd, a to be continued review of my own when they are sent out but this is just the start of knowing this is going to be great!
I will leave you guys with another awesome highly recommended Japanese band Birushanah they play metal with traditional Japanese music which means scales and Jap steel drums just go listen to them NOW it owns! http://bit.ly/ceW5so thank me later!
Listen to the 5:15 min amazing metal pickup!
[Reply to this comment]
Keith Anderson replied:
September 6th, 2010 at 12:30 am
I have listed to Birushanah in the past. I like them a lot. It's hard for me to select my favorite Envy project as they are all individual and the influences (or maybe musical theme) changes with each effort. This one is definitely addictive.
[Reply to this comment]
Mike replied:
September 6th, 2010 at 1:25 am
Ya, couldn't have said it better.
[Reply to this comment]
Mike replied:
September 6th, 2010 at 1:39 am
Was reading your Staff profile favorite bands Salem, respect!
[Reply to this comment]
Keith Anderson replied:
September 6th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
Hey, thanks, Mike. I'll be updating my profile. Wasn't sure initially what to put in there. I listen to everything rock, but not sure how it applied to The NewReview. Since then I've realized my rock roots applies to everything I listen to. Envy, for example, is using 80s new wave guitar as their theme anchor. I love being able to connect the dots of influence.
[Reply to this comment]
September 6th, 2010 at 12:10 am
Eww! the samples sound really creppy,definetely not my thing!
[Reply to this comment]
Mike replied:
September 6th, 2010 at 12:22 am
Don't know if this is a reply to my comment or not… Creepy as you mean Birushanah I promise there isn't any samples watch them live they came to the States for a tour no Japanese band makes it to Florida! http://bit.ly/btcEXt
[Reply to this comment]
Keith Anderson replied:
September 6th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
BTW, Envy is currently touring the NE U.S.
[Reply to this comment]
Mike replied:
September 6th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
haha, thanks Keith totally aware… No Florida!!!
[Reply to this comment]
September 6th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Never been a real fan of Envy, but this sounds really promising!
Good review Keith!
[Reply to this comment]
Max Grundström replied:
September 6th, 2010 at 9:54 am
Forgot to add that they sound a lot like Daïtro, a french screamo band. If you haven't heard them already, check them out.
[Reply to this comment]
Mike replied:
September 7th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
Envy been around way longer don't see anything even remotely similar…
They are ok but I will stick with Amanda Woodward!
[Reply to this comment]
Mike replied:
September 7th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
haha see…I mean hear haha… nice one!
[Reply to this comment]
September 6th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
I'm not really liking the vocals, but it does sound pretty cool.
The album art looks familiar…oh wait…http://tinyurl.com/2c683ye
Uh-oh.
[Reply to this comment]
Mike replied:
September 7th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
2-0! Mike (@envyeconomy) just kidding I see the mountains he is talking about the mountain!
[Reply to this comment]
September 7th, 2010 at 9:45 am
new Envy album? Yeah, finally ! Probabbly my favourite japanese band, cant wait for this shit
to the guy above… i dont see much samilarities, the cover reminds me more of the last u2 album than underoath lol :C
[Reply to this comment]
September 7th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
These guys have a very interesting sound. I'll be sure to check them out. Good review.
[Reply to this comment]
September 12th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
I just can't force myself to listen to more than one song. I really tried though. I have to kinda know what the vocalist is saying, and obviously since I don't speak Japanese, I have no clue here.
[Reply to this comment]
September 13th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
oh jen ur missing out. Envy, Boris and Mono are my favourite Japanese bands
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November 30th, 2010 at 10:42 am
For me, envy is the one band that really gets my emotions out, mixed, and running with tears. I Only speak Korean and English, and I don't understand a lick'o Japanese. But with envy, you really don't have to know Japanese. You can almost feel what they are saying in their incredibly emotional compositions; Their songs are truley incredible. I am no fan of asian music in general, but Envy is by far my favorite band. Noone has come close to topping them.
[Reply to this comment]
Keith Anderson replied:
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:45 am
I've been following Envy for a while and they are true artists. I do love a lot of Asian metal/rock, but it depends on genre, etc. I also like a Sigh a lot.
[Reply to this comment]
January 29th, 2011 at 3:16 pm
Definitely not worth a 5. Envy is so hit-or-miss. They make about 2 amazing songs per album. The rest is not so great.
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