May 7 - Experimental: Skyline Divided (Seven)

  [English version below]

Tenía muchas ganas de incluir esta canción en la recopilación, así que no esperaré más. Os presento a Brad Tuttle, más conocido como Seven. Realmente, Seven es el nombre del proyecto de composición y grabación que inició en 2001 en Illinois, Estados Unidos, y sigue activo en la actualidad. Su música es oscura, heavy, compleja y experimental. De hecho, se considera que Seven fue uno de los pioneros en el controvertido subgénero del "metal matemático" llamado djent, que se caracteriza por el uso de patrones rítmicos complejos y fuertemente sincopados(*).

Aunque Brad Tuttle es el único integrante de este proyecto en lo que respecta a las grabaciones, en directo solamente se encarga de cantar. Está acompañado por Johnny Reed (batería/percusión electrónica), Keith Daily (bajo), Jonny Funk (guitarra) e Ike Lindsey, quien añade elementos electrónicos.

Como os podréis imaginar, existe un vínculo personal con Dark Scientific, su tercer álbum, por varios motivos. Merece la pena escucharlo de principio a fin, pero yo voy a centrarme en su canción más conocida: Skyline Divided. Las notas iniciales ya invitan a quedarte, y la letra tiene mucha fuerza. Para ampliar la lista, sugiero Until the Light Takes Us y Collapse, que precisamente son las dos siguientes.

Su siguiente álbum, Interdimensional (actos I y II), es igualmente excepcional. Me cuesta bastante elegir solo un par de canciones como modelo, pero me quedaré con Empty y Aphasia. Esta última no tiene letra cantada. Para empezar a escuchar la canción directamente, recomiendo ir al segundo 50.

Aunque puede que Seven no haya elegido el mejor nombre artístico del mundo, ya que es muy difícil encontrarlo mediante una búsqueda accidental y hay muchos más proyectos bajo el mismo nombre, se ha ganado su huequito en la escena del metal progresivo. He descubierto que llevaba un par de años sin actualizarme respecto a su música, ya que tiene varias canciones que no conocía. No tardarán mucho en maravillar mis oídos de nuevo.

(*) sincopado/a: [Nota musical] que se halla entre dos o más de menos valor, pero que juntas valen tanto como ella. Toda sucesión de notas sincopadas toma un movimiento contrario al orden natural, es decir, va a contratiempo. Otra forma de verlo es utilizando la definición que encontramos en inglés de su sustantivo: alteración de un acento musical normal, generalmente enfatizando los ritmos que usualmente no tienen acento.

  [Versión en castellano arriba]

I was looking forward to including this song in my compilation, so I won't be waiting any longer. Let me introduce you to Brad Tuttle, also known as Seven. Actually, Seven is the name of the solo writing/recording project he created in 2001 in Illinois, USA, which is still active as of today. His music is dark, heavy, complex, and experimental. Seven is considered one of the pioneers of the controversial subgenre of Math Metal called djent, which is characterized by the use of complex and heavily syncopated(*) rhythmic patterns. 

Although Brad Tuttle is the only member of this project in terms of recording, when it comes to live he only deals with singing. He is accompanied by Johnny Reed (drums/electronic percussion), Keith Daily (bass), Jonny Funk (guitar) and Ike Lindsey, who adds electronic elements like samples.

Dark Scientific, his third album, aligns with me in several ways, you can imagine. It is worth listening from the beginning to the end, but I will focus on the most known song of it: Skyline Divided. The initial notes already invite you to stay, and the lyrics are very powerful. To expand the list, I suggest Until the Light Takes Us and Collapse, which are precisely the next two.

His next album Interdimensional (both Acts I and II) is equally exceptional. From there, after having a rough time choosing just a couple of songs, I will select Empty and Aphasia. The latter does not have sung lyrics. To start listening to the song directly, I recommend forwarding 50 seconds.

Even though Seven might have not chosen the best artistic name, since it is really hard to find him by an accidental search and there are many others under the same name, he still has his place in the Progressive Metal scene. I have noticed that I hadn't been up to date on his music for a couple of years, since he has several songs that I didn't know. It won't take long for my ears to get delighted again.

(*) syncopation: a shifting of a normal musical accent, usually by stressing the normally unaccented beats.

Bandcamp: https://seventhsounds.bandcamp.com/track/skyline-divided

Lyrics/Letra:

through the flood 

through the fire ashes 

falling down all around and 

all the way 

carry our weight 

all that I can say for always 

through the flood 

through the fire ashes 

falling down all around and 

all the way 

carry our weight 

all that I can say for always 

the sun is falling on the other side 

we'll crash and burn 

keep moving 

dilate 

uncover the eyes slowly 

let them see 

you spend your life in doubt 

you're witness to a tragedy 

difference in memory 

we all fall the same 

just stay close (x2)

remain in doubt 

in spite of your walls 

this song is dead on the outside 

this state is not what you thought 

keep searching 

dilate 

uncover the eyes slowly 

let them see 

you live your life 

just like 

you're witness to a tragedy 

difference in memory 

we all fall the same 

just stay close (x2)

remain in doubt 

in spite of your wall

you left me to die

and I wonder how you sleep

with failure in your eyes

in spite of your walls 

into the web you climb 

but something isn't right 

we burn it all down and all along 

we try our whole lives away 

the ocean overtakes the ground 

it's temporary and this is what we die for 

through the flood 

through the fire ashes 

falling down all around and 

all the way 

carry our weight 

all that I can say for always 

finally the ocean overtakes the ground 

it's temporary and this is what we die for 

you're witness to a tragedy

difference in memory 

we all fall the same 

just stay close (x2)

remain in doubt 

in spite of your walls 

you left me to die

and I wonder how you sleep

with failure in your eyes

in spite of your walls 

you left me to die

and I wonder how you sleep

with failure in your eyes

in spite of your walls 

finally the ocean overtakes the ground 

it's temporary and this is what we die for 

forget I ever knew your name (x4)