Digital Veilby The Human Abstract

The Human Abstract made an unexpectedly excellent comeback in 2011 after a poorly received sophomore effort in "Midheaven". "Digital Veil" marks the return of AJ Minette to guitar and the debut of Travis Richter on vocals for The Human Abstract, and their performances alone make this album one of the absolute best of the year. "Digital Veil" starts with a brief neoclassical instrumental piece entitled "Elegiac" and it sets the tone perfectly for "Complex Terms"--a song that combines very heavy passages with a lighter contrast to great effect. It is lyrically thoughtful, delicate, haunting, and powerful in equal measures. The rest of the album follows suit with the relentlessly aggressive title track and the album and career highlight "Antebellum". At under 40 minutes, "Digital Veil" is somewhat brief, but never a moment is wasted and I find myself coming back to it several times a week even 6 months after its release. If you like your metal smart, then don't pass on "Digital Veil" by The Human Abstract.