When it comes to modern progressive metal, Between the Buried and Me (BtBaM) is one of the names to consider among the best in the genre. Critically acclaimed records, ‘Colors’ and ‘The Great Misdirect’, lead their extensive catalogue. While ‘Colors’‘ thematic sequel in 2021 honed in on expansive songs with plenty of texture. Their eleventh album, ‘The Blue Nowhere,’ is a new beginning in a variety of ways for the North Carolina band. It’s their first record on InsideOut Music, as well as their first as a quartet following the departure of shamed guitarist Dustie Waring.
Conceptually, ‘The Blue Nowhere’ sees vocalist and keyboardist Tommy Rogers take us on an adventure through a psychological hotel. It’s paired with a dizzying, expansive sound palette that is equally rich as it is occasionally weird. After all, this is a prog band. Take the eight-minute-long opener, ‘Things We Tell Ourselves In The Dark,’ as an example. Funky guitars wrap themselves around complex tempos before radiantly providing a soaring chorus. Its cocktail of sounds has flashes of space-y synth clashing with riveting, metallic guitars, and an array of twists and turns in its pacing. It’s a colourful introduction that is soon contrasted by the industrial ‘God Terror’. Here, Rogers’ angsty vocals are complemented by sharp guitars with dark electronica seeping through, creating a hallucination into madness.
The narrative descent continues on ‘Absent Thereafter’. Much like ‘Things We Tell Ourselves…’, the extent of genre-blending is utilised but never forced. Rushing with Blake Richardson’s frantic drum work and guitarist Paul Waggoner’s riveting display, it hints at a sense of stability as Rogers’ confessional words sing “In space, in space, I fear tomorrow”. It momentarily brings a sense of peace, before crashing down with an impressive bluegrass guitar solo. Throw in some Vegas show-style horns in its final minutes, and you’re left with a disorienting but delightful number.
‘The Blue Nowhere’s next act sees the serene ‘Pause’ briefly utilise an abstract musical tone, before seguing into ‘Door #3’. With its hefty, crunching guitars and Richardson’s double bass pedalling, it hints at being a relatively normal BtBaM song. Yet it soon comes off the rails with a subtle circus-like waltz swirling beneath Rogers’ screams, before flamenco guitars pop up in the middle. The circus tone is maintained on ‘Mirador Uncoil’. Serving as a brief interlude, keys and synths spring up as rich orchestration plays into the abstract narrative.
The album’s musical peak, and strong contender for the album’s standout track, is ‘Slow Paranoia’. Questionably pushing Rogers, Richardson, Waggoner, and bassist Briggs to their limit, it’s a kaleidoscopic mix of heavy progressive metalcore with colourful orchestral breaks. Three minutes in, Rogers takes the role of the crooning show leader, before launching into the dark with growls. The instrumental finesse the quartet shows is frankly brilliant, and elevated by the production work of longtime collaborator Jamie King.
Penultimately, the title track is BtBaM at their most melodic. Led by Waggoner’s tight guitar work and a sturdy rhythmic base, it takes the form of an assured rock song with a rising chorus. ‘Beautifully Human’ twinkles with swirling synths and acoustic guitars, gradually building with grandeur. This is only elevated by big drums and bold guitars coming in. Complemented by an electronic blanket, it builds with routine rhymic complexity, yet never distracts from the thematic conclusion Rogers sings about. Having undergone a journey of reflection amid episodes of paranoia and anxiety, ‘The Blue Nowhere’s final moments paint a picture of acceptance, reflecting on fragile mortality.
Ultimately, ‘The Blue Nowhere’ weaves chaos and beauty into a challenging yet rewarding whole. While its abrupt shifts can be jarring, the execution is consistently impressive. As a unit, Between the Buried and Me continue to sound accomplished. The scope of variation is executed to a tee, keeping the listener on their toes right to its majestic end.
‘The Blue Nowhere’ by Between the Buried and Me is out now on InsideMusic.
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