G O D (Regarding a Message from God)El Rigna.
(This artist is not affiliated with the Hip-Hop artist God nor Lamb of God. But, is worthy of a listen like the previosuly mentioned.)
So, on October 3rd of 2016 I was contacted by GOD (GodEl Rigna) the creator of this instrumental metal project, GOD. Due to being quite busy was not able to probe this music as well as I would like to have, but now that it is almost Christmas (a time where Catholics await the birth of Christ, should you believe in that.) I thought it fitting to make it a point to do this around this time. Quite "Symbolic" and interestingly polar opposite to the Death album by the same name. This project deals with Catholic or Christian ideals, but not how you might imagine it would be.
The person known as GodEl Rigna, online, is wanting their identity to remain a complete secret. However, I have "asked for and received answers" much like some speculate they would get from a God figure. This artist stated that they have been in the music industry for "many years" and the reason for the name is that word "would utilize the concept of "Inception" to induce thought into the viewer / listener." However this individual is a believer of God. They said the following on this and the start of the project: "After a life changing personal event in September 2015. The writing process began in Jan 2016 until May 2016. It was with a heavy heart that I decided to call it GOD."
Questions. Are powerful things, are they not? Well, this project is meant to spark more questions or thought than provide answers (at this point it would seem.) It is meant to be completely instrumental and when asked about this ever going to a live setting, they responded no and also said that it will always be a solo project. However, I was given specs on the gear used and other such informatio, they had said that: "GOD features 3 different distorted basses for rhythms with 1 baritone 6 string for some balance on the mid range. Ibanez 4 String GIO mounted with Nazgul 7 string pickup at bridge. Dean Rhapsody Octave 8 String Bass and 6 String Baritone Les Paul. For cleans and leads I used a Schon and Steinberger Spirit 6 string. I currently use Cubase for all the music production." When asked about the future, they said: "I feel that I will integrate more ideas in the coming albums. One of which is to incorporate the Schecter Hellraiser C VI into the foray of instruments."
Now that you have heard what I know about the artist from messaging them, it is time to let the music "speak" for itself.
1. "GOD" - This track is fairly straightforward compared to the other tracks. It does give a good preview of what the album has in store and is a good example of the formula used for the album. Heavy almost "Djent" grooves with what sound like slow upbeat and clean guitar parts that lead off into repeating solo sections. The bass drum parts make the drums sound reminscent to Meshuggah imo. Interesting how the first track of the first album by the artist is the name of the project, it is also one of the more less complex ones of the album.
2. "Salvation" - Has more complex drum parts and the clean and postive sounding guitar parts with the heaviness. Here the drums have a more "Mathcore" kind of chaos at moments but still has a definite groove to them.
3. "Foreknown" - One of my favorite from this album. This song locks into the off time Meshuggah drums more and the tone of the "guitar-like parts" are more pronounced imo. Something new here is that the drum parts do have fills at moments, (like the 11:26 mark of the video that I added to the end of this article.) The doom is quite heavy with this one as well.
4. "Predestined" - I also like this song. Imo, this song seems like a Foreknown Part II and the guitar part along with the drum part similar to "Foreknown" add a Lamb of God instrumental aspect here, which many Metalheads like. There is more of a complex "guitar-like" solo throughout this song, that builds up into an actual one around the 16:34 mark. Quite great along with the speeded up drums.
5. "Creation" - The groove never leaves this album (and is a definite strongpoint imo.) The song speeds up rhythm-wise and then leads into another spacy solo. The solos help to imitate words and one can hear the music speak to them, while this song is heavy. The vibe is a positve one as are most of the songs. The drums have a cool transition at 21:28. I tend to like music that mixes things up. Ending with spacy repeating guitars and into
6. "Life" - The song is heavy at the intro. I take from the structure that life itself can be harsh and unpredictable. This song has similar elements of "Foreknown," "Predestined," and "Creation." This is an album that has a definite formula but reuses it really well. Another Meshuggah Djent feeling song with a positive vibe from the solos. This one and "Creation" both end the same way, perhaps done on purpose as the two corelate?
7. "Free Will" - The song begins with a more solo feel and then gets into some slower paced drums. There is something new at 28:57, there is some snare rolling. That is an interesting transition. The song feels like a complex "breakdown" a bit more than the other tracks. Imo the concept of freewill is what led to the downfall of man when Adam & Eve ate the Forbidden Apple from the tree. And the next song is.
8. "Sin" - This one has a Knocked Loose kind of vibe here in a way. This song just seems darker than the others, my guess is one purpose. However, there are still lighter guitar parts in the song. It does not stray from the formula. But, this song has a more Emmure kind of breakdown and "Deathcore" feel to it heaviness wise. The bass may have effects used here that were not done previously, at the 33:26 mark? Unless that was done with their hand over the bass strings? There are subtle nuances in the songs that are a nice touch. Song ends like the previous songs with a reverb effect.
9. "Jesus Christ" - Now, if you were apprehensive as if this was a religious themed project, well the name of this song is a give-away. Upbeat guitar parts, and more of a solid groove going on here. With a name like this, the effect of calm-ness might be evoked. There is heavy bass and double bass to match with the other songs as well. As it states in The Bible, God can be vengeful and mighty in His justice. So, both sides of a benevolent and angry God may be thought of here. The sustained notes in this song are a nice touch in making it stand out this way.
10. "Truth" - Here is a more driving song and another of my favorites on here. The addition of what sounds like a "bell on the ride" at the 39:40 mark is something new to the drum dynamics. The same formula is used here, the "guitar sounding parts" are a bit more positive than the previous, which I find odd with the name of the song before being, "Jesus Christ" this one seems like a part II of the previous song in this way as well. Various solo sections in this song are a nice touch. The solos seem to vary more than the other songs, which have solos that may have the same root notes in them. The trademark reverb effect closes it out.
To conclude, this album will have something for all fans of metal imo. I got the following out of this most recent listen: There is a heavy "Djent" influence, but not the "in your face djent sound" and the notes are well thought-out and tasteful in the passages. There are no overly complex tapping parts and no spandex-laden guitar virtuoso work, but the music is written out well and the previously mentioned might not just have the same effect as the notes present in the music have. This is a solid album and with the same formula being used throughout, while keeping the music interesting is not an easy thing to do. I applaud GodEl Rigna on this. The music may be purely instrumental, but each song has something to say and can be interpreted any way one would want. This album did not get humdrum on my second and third full spins / whole album listens. The subtle parts make it to where the listener has something new they can find each time they listen to the album. Another cool thing is that the songs are great as stand-alone but also mesh cohesively as a whole album. Even if you are not religious, this album is enjoyable and the music lends to let the listener drift away and ponder about what the creator was thinking and just what our Creator has in store for us. At least that is how I interpreted all of this. This is an on-going project, am glad about that and also look forward to hear more from this inspired and insightful artist on a "God-send" mission. But, just what does God have in store for us and what are their messages to us?
Thank you to the musician known as "GodEl Rigna" for his answering my questions, providing me access to his music, and for making his music as well, etc. God bless.
