Candiria
While They Were Sleeping
(Metal Blade Records)
Honestly, it’s just nice to see Candiria back again for a couple reasons. First, after the horrific van accident in 2002 and its unfortunate aftermath, it’s great that most of the band is back and able to make music again, period. Second, the group’s “urban fusion” sound felt fresh a decade ago, and despite numerous advances in poly-rhythmic metal, very few bands sound like Candiria. Their sound takes NY metalcore and adds huge heaping scoops of jazz, progressive rock, and hip hop, and, thankfully, all of those elements (and more) are present on While You Were Sleeping. The group’s first concept record centers around a failed musician who rises up against a monarchy in New York, and Candiria’s multi-faceted sound is expertly utilized to represent different aspects of the album’s story.
The only blemish in an otherwise beautiful record is “The Cause”, a noisy, distorted tune that, while furthering the narrative, is too jarring and impolite on the ears compared to the rest of the album. That’s it. Otherwise, Candiria’s fifth album is a delight for forward-thinking metal. Sure, some of the positive feelings associated with listening to While They Were Sleeping are related to how great it is to just hear Candiria again. However, this is honestly their best work yet, and that’s saying something for a band who has always felt ahead of their time. Their jazzy, progressive metalcore sticks out like a sore thumb compared to other rhythmic metal acts, largely because Candiria’s sound is so passionate and soulful. A decade ago, the band were unfairly lumped in with nu-metal groups like Mudvayne, and now their poly-rhythmic sound could be confused for djent, but Candiria gets its funk more from jazz and progressive rock than high-gain low notes.
Like the best concept records, While You Were Sleeping feels like a gloriously heavy rock opera, Carley Coma’s vocals are an obvious highlight, as his dexterous voice is deftly able to switch styles and tones for maximum impact. Individual songs don’t quite separate themselves out, but that’s more due to a consistent level of quality, which is impressive considering the band’s sonic range. It’s great to have Candiria back, and even long-running fans of the band couldn’t have expected such a wonderful comeback.
Purchase While They Were Sleeping here.
