Up until two weeks ago, I had never even heard of Tosin Abasi or his group, ANIMALS AS LEADERS. I happened to run across them while searching for something else on amazon.com and their album cover art caught my eye...hint, hint, folks...the cover of a book or album can draw in a potential buyer!!
However, I checked out Tosin on Youtube--just like you can in our sidebar--and was blown away. A guitar player will quickly realize that Tosin Abasi is a major player. He's classically trained, but somehow ended up playing death metal in a now defunct band; but not before it garnered him enough attention to have a solo opportunity cast his way. Tosin plays eight string guitars like the ibanez model seen in some of our featured video spots and he makes use of it.
I can say one thing for Animals as Leaders: it's different! Definitely progressive metal, but you can tell that Tosin isn't going for mainstream appeal. Don't take that in the wrong way. This is a good album with some interesting arrangements...but you won't hear any of this on the radio. It's heavy, then melodic, grinding rhythm and doublebass then beautiful and soulful...and hey, that may be in a single song where you have that variety played out. Tosin's tone is a bit different from the more heavily distorted tone shredders usually employ and he often will use complex lead phrases like pedal points around which the rhythms will move. Don't expect whammy bar pyrotechnics like Vai or the blistering squeals of Satriani. When I'm listening to this album or even watching Tosin on video, no one particular comes to mind. It's just Tosin Abasi.
My recommendations are all over this album for guitar players who enjoy heavy music. If you liked Jeff Loomis' Zero Order Phase, then check out this album...if fact, jump over to our sidebar and check out the youtube video for Animal's as Leaders' song: CAFO. If you like that, the rest of the album is very similar.
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