COMMUNIC – Hiding From The World

The Backstory

Norway’s Communic formed in 2003 and got the attention of Nuclear Blast Records with their 2004 demo Conspiracy of Mind. The Progressive metallers released 4 albums under Nuclear Blast before signing with AFM Records for their 2017 release Where Echoes Gather. After a three year hiatus Communic has returned with their sixth album Hiding From the World. The album’s general theme is described as being an assessment of one’s life and the legacy they would leave behind should they not exist tomorrow.

The Album

While there are only 8 songs on the album, Hiding From the World still clocks in at 61 minutes due to its epic orchestrations. Tor Atle Andersen’s drum work plows right through you on “Plunder of Thoughts.” Oddleif Stensiand shows that not only is he strong melodic vocalist, but he is quite proficient on both rhythm and lead guitar. “Hiding From the World” starts off somber and clean but builds in emotion and fury as it reaches its 9+ minute conclusion.

It’s bassist Erik Mortensen’s chance to shine on the bass-heavy “Face in the Crowd.” This song is a bit more Thrash and Hardcore than the ones that proceeded it. Stensiand’s fuzzy guitar tone really hits the sweet spot here. While most parts of “Born Without a Heart” is slow, dark, and ominous, Communic just can’t help but bring the power in bits and pieces throughout this 10 minute opus. “Soon to Be” is a throwaway instrumental that could have easily been the beginning of “Forgotten.”

The Verdict

Who knew that so much power could be delivered by a three-piece metal band? Communic’s Hiding From The World is a dark venture accented by haunting melodic vocals and a rhythm section that can shake the ground you walk on. That being said, there are a lot of lyrics in each song that make the album more long form story than music.

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Tracklist

1. Plunder of Thoughts
2. Hiding From The World
3. My Temple of Pride
4. Face in the Crowd
5. Born Without a Heart
6. Scavengers Await
7. Soon to Be
8. Forgotten

Communic is

Oddleif Stensiand – Vocals, Guitar
Erik Mortensen – Bass
Tor Atle Andersen – Drums