Transhuman (album)

Transhuman
Studio album by
Believer
ReleasedApril 11, 2011
RecordedAugust–December 2010
GenreTechnical thrash metal, progressive metal, progressive death metal
LabelMetal Blade
ProducerThe Trauma Team
Believer chronology
Gabriel
(2009) 		Transhuman
(2011)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
About.com[1]
Blistering[2]
Cross Rhythms[3]
Decibel2/10[4]
Lords of Metal92/100[5]
Metal.de9/10[6]
Metal Hammer Germany4/7[7]
The Phantom Tollbooth[8]
Powermetal.de8.50/10[9]
SputnikMusic[10]

Transhuman is the fifth studio album by American technical thrash metal band Believer, released on April 11, 2011 on Metal Blade Records.

Overview

A concept album, the band stated that the lyrics deal with transhumanism, "The study of the ramifications, promises, and potential dangers of technologies that will enable us to overcome fundamental human limitations, and the related study of the ethical matters involved in developing and using such technologies." The band stated that the source of inspiration was Dr. Ginger Campbell’s Brain Science Podcast, which explores recent discoveries in neuroscience, as well as Dr. Thomas Metzinger’s scientific research and philosophical study of consciousness and the self.[10]

Musically, the band stated that they "focused more on the overall musicality which included more instrumental layers than we used before."[11] Sputnik Music noted that the band dropped most of the aggressive thrash metal elements in favor of more melodic, modern, mid-tempo and mechanical style.[10] About.com reviewer wrote that the album's genre is difficult to pigeon hole, featuring elements of industrial, psychedelic and soundtrack music among technical metal.[12]

Track listing

  1. Lie Awake - 5:03
  2. G.U.T. - 3:39
  3. Multiverse - 4:44
  4. End Of Infinity - 4:12
  5. Transfection - 3:55
  6. Clean Room - 4:50
  7. Currents - 2:50
  8. Traveler - 4:23
  9. Ego Machine - 4:29
  10. Being No One - 4:47
  11. Entanglement - 4:15
  12. Mindsteps - 6:52

Personnel

Believer

  • Kurt Bachman - vocals, guitar
  • Joey Daub - drums
  • Jeff King - keyboards, programming
  • Kevin Leaman - guitar
  • Elton Nestler - bass guitar, programming

Additional musicians

  • Trav Turner - additional drums (on track 1)
  • Jim Thomas - guitar technician, main personnel, setup

Production

  • Kevin "131" Gutierrez - additional production, mixing
  • Joel DuBay - mixing assistant
  • Maor Appelbaum - mastering engineer
  • The Trauma Team - engineer

Design

  • Tom Bejgrowicz - photography
  • Kira Beth - model
  • Tim Engle - photography
  • Michael Rosner - design, layout, paintings

References

  1. ^ About.com review Archived 2011-06-29 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Blistering review
  3. ^ Willoughby, Peter John (December 12, 2011). "Believer - Transhuman". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  4. ^ Andrew (March 25, 2011). "Waldo's Pecks of the Week". Decibel. Red Flag Media. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  5. ^ Doreleijers, Bart (May 2011). "Believer - Transhuman". Lords of Metal (114). Horst Vonberg. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  6. ^ Scheurer, Walter (April 17, 2011). "Believer - Transhuman". Metal.de (in German). Versus:Media. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  7. ^ Dengler, Detlef (May 6, 2011). "Believer - Transhuman". Metal Hammer Germany (in German). Axel Springer Media House. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  8. ^ Snyder, Brad (July 27, 2011). "Believer - Transhuman". The Phantom Tollbooth. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  9. ^ Lang, Stefan (April 6, 2011). "Believer - Transhuman". Powermetal.de (in German). Quarter Media. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  10. ^ a b c Spencer, Trey (2011). "Believer: More Believer: Transhuman". Sputnik Music.
  11. ^ "Believer: More 'Transhuman' Details Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. February 28, 2011. Archived from the original on 24 May 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  12. ^ "Believer: 'Transhuman'". About.com. 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-06-29.