Divided Multitude – Feed On Your Misery (Nightmare Records)
Sunday, 2nd June 2013
I will admit that I haven’t heard of Divided Multitude before getting this review assignment, but upon listening to their latest release I’m glad I did. The band hails from Norway and deploys a heavy, technical and mostly melodic style of progressive metal. What’s even more impressive is the hour-length of running time for their fifth release called Feed On Your Misery.
There is a wealth of prime riffs that hit hard and leave a lasting impression on the listener. The strongest track that echoes this statement is “ViciousBy Heart” which brings ample amounts of heavy riffs and double bass drumming to maximum levels. I enjoyed the dark tone of the track and they follow this hard driving style with “Scars” and then flip over to a more progressive edge on “Feed Your Misery.” Clearly they understand the nature of bringing a harder edge to their style, and it allows the music to transcend the typical stylistics found in progressive metal.
Although having said that, Divided Multitude does dip into the technical side of things on “What I See” and exhibits some serious technical chops on the short instrumental “Esperanto.” Their influences stem from acts like early Queensryche and Crimson Glory, but you can hear direct elements of Pagan’s Mind on ‘Crimson Sunset,” giving the track a fluid and melodic feel throughout. The majority of the music isn’t as dense as you might expect from most prog metal bands, but there is enough hooks to capture the attention of most power metal fans.
Feed On Your Misery is arguably a heavy affair, but it’s accessible and engaging as a prog metal release. The modern sound is bold enough and it should attract listeners who enjoy straight ahead metal with enough tinges of progressive elements spread out all over this release.
