Twisted into Form - Then Comes Affliction to Awaken the Dreamer (Sensory Records)
By Jay Snyder
February 14, 2007

Here is another winner from the Sensory Records division. I really have to commend this label for putting out a ton of excellent releases since I’ve been put in touch with their music. Every once in awhile a snoozer slips through the cracks but for the most part it is nothing but quality releases by the bucket load. Twisted into Form contains members of the mighty Spiral Architect (guitarist Kaj and session vocalist Leif) whose album A Sceptic’s Universe is still in rotation from time to time in my CD player whenever I’m in the need for some unhinged technical/progressive metal shredding. I don’t think it is the end all album of the universe either, but it is a damn good effort even if the band’s constant emphasis on technicality over writing songs that are memorable sometimes would overtake their overall mission, but hey all is fair in love and technical metal.

Oddly enough, I find Twisted into Form’s debut effort a far more digestible effort than the Spiral Architect classic and because the album seems to focus on crazy progressive flourishes AND crafting songs that will stick to your ribs I find this more enjoyable than Spiral Architect’s much hailed classic. So, you are going to have to sue me here. I also feel that Twisted into Form boasts a stronger vocal delivery than Spiral Architect, so this is an all around improvement by the band on developing a sound that two of them were apart of in the first place. The band lay down complex arrangements with heavy, full-on metal riffs that often change their pace many times throughout the course of a song with layered bass playing, intense drumming, wild solos and melodic vocals that are soaring but not too over the top, all combining to round out an impressive arsenal. “Enter Nothingness” sets the tone with heavy riffs and intricate arrangements that are technical enough to please all the progressive metal nuts out there but have enough structure to make those looking for songs enjoy the madness as well. “Instinct Solitaire” brings some powerful guitar work to the mix right out of the bat and showcases even more complex song-writing. There are some bruising guitar riffs on this track and they even mellow out with some clean, acoustic playing as well. The vocals are top-notch on this track as well and the song’s many change-ups all flow together perfectly.

I hate constantly comparing this to Spiral Architect but I feel that these guys really take that sound to the level it should be on. With SA, it always felt like everyone was just free-jamming, but with Twisted into Form it definitely feels like all musicians are locked into the same groove but with some chances for wild individuality as well. “Torrents” reminds me of some of Into Eternity’s best stuff on the “Dead but Dreaming” album but with more emphasis on melody and devoid of death/black influences. The chorus is really soaring too and it has run through my head on more than a few occasions. Other highlights include a pair of sprawling epics that incorporate multiple clean sections, juxtaposed with powerful epic metal (“The Thin Layers of Lust and Love”, “House of Nadir”) and the metallic but slightly electronic laced “The Flutter Kings” which has a subtle industrial vibe going about midway through that helps build some additional mood.

This is a killer record from start to finish and while I enjoyed Spiral Architect, I have to say that I am enjoying Twisted into Form’s mix of wild progressive tendencies with tunefulness much more. Technical but well-written and far more than just a jam band set to just blow you away with crazy instrumentation, Twisted into Form deliver an album that open minded fans of metal can definitely enjoy. Another winner for Sensory, all I have to say is keep ‘em coming guys!

Visit the Twisted Into Form website at www.twistedintoform.no

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Eyesore

Excellent album. There's a ton of Cynic-like moments on this one. Ken Golden has very few albums through his Sensory label that haven't been great. Has he released any bad albums? Behind the Curtain is a tough band to take simply because they vocalist has such a weird tone, but they do have their charm. Either way, great label, great bands, and this album is just another killer release. Wait until you hear the new Spheric Universe Experiment album!

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C.O.T.C.D.

Evildeadjay

I wasn't too into Redemption and I think it was White Willow or something? Other than that the Sensory label is great for this kind of stuff. That new Wuthering Heights was out of this world and I love this one. Complex but with attention to song-writing, sweet stuff. What is Spheric Universe Experiment?

Eyesore

Yeah, White Willow is good, but they're more progressive folk pop-rock, or something. Not very metal either way you look at it.

Spheric Universe Experiment are just a new signing to Sensory. They have one album already (Mental Torments); this will be their second. Check out this tune:

THE INNER QUEST

That's a good example of what this band is like. Another cool new signing to Sensory—actually a division of Sensory called Sensory Dark—is Spi-Ritual. They're like Dead Can Dance gone progressive death metal. Here's a sample song from them:

NAHASH

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C.O.T.C.D.

468

I agree with your review of Twisted Into Form. It is like a more enjoyable Spiral Architect. It took them 6 years to records this cd. I hope another album comes out before another 6 years goes by. Great band. I wish Spiral Architect would record again as well.