[MUSIC] Caliban – I Am Nemesis [REVIEW]

CALIBAN
I Am Nemesis
[Century Media]
Verdict: 9/10
RIYL: Good Metal Core

It’s a never ending shock knowing that there are so many amazing bands in the world that so many people aren’t aware of. Germany’s CALIBAN, who have been doing this thing for 15 years now, are a prime example. No release has ever been sub par. In fact, it’s been the opposite, this is one of those bands that has done nothing but get better and better with each release. They have never bent backwards and wrote a ‘radio friendly’ song. They have never done anything but write hands down the best metalcore around. Nothing about CALIBAN screams ‘sell out’. I Am Nemesis takes a formula, that they themselves have helped create, and make it even more monstrous than before. Opening track ‘We Are The Many’ sets the tone for the rest of the record as the words “You Gotta Be Fucking Kidding Me?” start the song before it kicks off into overdrive. The dual vocals have always been a shining moment in the CALIBAN sound, reminding one of EVERGREEN TERRACE, as Andy Dörne’s aggressive vocals tear up the heavier parts and Denis Schmidt’s bluesy clean vocals sparkle. It’s in his vocal delivery that they lead the pack in this genre as his cleans aren’t nasally or forced. CALIBAN have always managed to mix ethereal orchestral parts into their music without it being obnoxious or overdone like on ‘Edge Of Black’, it’s smooth intro quickly bleeds into the destructively beautiful aural assault that awaits the listener. Every track on I Am Nemesis has the unique ability to make the listener simultaneously want to destroy a room and sing passionately along. CALIBAN, alongside fellow German’s and label mates HEAVEN SHALL BURN, have always worn their hearts on their sleeves and have unwittingly lead the pack in their distinctive, individual genres. They also aren’t a band that just writes songs about random topics, they tackle socio-critical topics and point out things that go wrong in the world, at least through their eyes, like how easily the media manipulates the public at large (‘Broadcast To Damnation’) and how the internet really is as disrespecting to people as a slap in the face (‘Modern Warfare’). Last year CALIBAN dropped the Coverfield EP, which paid tribute to a few of the bands that made them what they are. With the special edition of I Am Nemesis they add a handful more, but aside from that gem their many influences can be heard throughout the course of the 12 tracks presented here. It’s also interesting to hear the bands out there that claim having no knowledge of these metalcore pioneers that blatantly ‘borrow’ their sound. After the release of I Am Nemesis, American fans (me especially! – JH) are eagerly awaiting a proper US tour. Hopefully the rest of the world will finally catch on to what they have been sorely missing. Here’s to another destructive 15 years guys!          -by Jon Hole

Recommended listening: ‘The Bogeyman’, ‘Deadly Dream’, ‘Broadcast Damnation’ & ‘Modern Warfare’
Guest appearances: Marcel Neumann of We Butter The Bread With Butter keyboards and guitars on ‘the Bogeyman’ & ‘Dein R3Ich’. Guest vocals and gang vocals (to be determined soon) by Mitch Lucker of Suicide Silence, Marcus Bischoff of Heaven Shall Burn and all As Blood Runs Black.
Production credits: Produced by Benny Richter & Marc Görtz. Mixed by Klaus Scheuermann in the B.B. Serious Studio in Berlin. Mastered by J. Oliver Wiebe in Hamburg¡’s Nullzweistudios.
Release date: February 28, 2012
In conclusion…If brutal and chaotic metalcore without being over the top is what your soul craves, why not try Caliban‘s I Am Nemesis (or ANYTHING from their 8 album catalog for that matter!) on for size? You’ll be very happy you did. I swear.