The Butterfly Effect
Imago

THE REVIEW

The Butterfly Effect is an Australian band that debuted in 2001 with a self-titled EP and then continued in 2003 with their first full-length album, titled "Begins Here." The music they offered was an alternative/nu-metal without fault or praise, with some excellent songs and many forgettable tracks. However, the album achieved a decent success in their home country.

Today, we talk about the second album, which was released three years later, in 2006, "Imago." It's a work almost entirely different from the previous, as the band abandons (and thankfully, I say) the nu influences to incorporate a sound leaning more towards progressive.

Let's be clear, mixing alternative and prog is not a new idea. Fellow countrymen Dredg and Cog, and Rishloo in the States, not to mention Tool, A Perfect Circle, or Soen (though the latter three bands are much more challenging and complex compared to the Australians, I don't know why, it's as if they have developed a sound all their own over there). But, although I highly appreciate the bands mentioned here, TBE manages to stand a notch above, perhaps on par with Tool, and now let's see why.

As you'll read if you check other reviews, the jewel in TBE's crown is the singer. Clint Boge is indeed an above-average singer, at least for those who appreciate singers who use very high tones and often falsetto, capable of creating introspective and personal lyrics, and then singing them with absolute emotion, making the emotions that shine through the lyrics dramatically palpable through his voice. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating, but I really like his voice a lot, it's almost theatrical.

This absolutely doesn't mean that the band backing him is forgettable, quite the opposite. Kurt Goedhart is a respectable guitarist, capable of creating riffing that is never predictable and distorted arpeggios perfect to accompany Clint's emotional voice, and Ben Hall is an excellent drummer. And the bassist? After Boge, Glenn Esmond is the musician who impressed me the most, with bass lines that are always audible and, above all, technical and imaginative.

Moving on to the album, there isn't much to say, it's perfect. It starts with a small instrumental introduction (the title track) and then moves on to a series of wonderful songs, during which we will be transported into the world of The Butterfly Effect, and when Clint gets angry, we'll get angry, when he's sad, we'll die inside, and when he leaves space for his bandmates, we can enjoy excellent arrangements. I don't think there's ever a moment when the album dips, perhaps only in the hefty "In A Memory" (the only one exceeding 5 minutes) which may seem a bit repetitive, but we're talking about trivialities. An honorable mention goes to the lyrics, truly excellent, especially in episodes like "The End" and the beautiful "Reach," my favorite.

Last night I dreamt I had you with me

Close enough to feel you breathe

When I awoke I lay here empty

Cought between the want and need

My favorite songs are "This Year," "Reach," and "Before They Knew," which contain moments that will stay with you for quite some time. "A Slow Descent" is the only song that sticks upon first listen; for all the others, it will take more time, but it's worth it. In "Signs" and "Gone," we can best appreciate the work of the bass and guitar.

But that's enough, I won't go on further. This album should be a must-have for all lovers of rock or metal in its melodic sense. It's a shame they never left Australia (where this album reached second on the charts) and a shame that the third "Final Conversation Of Kings" is beautiful but does not reach the levels of this. But it's a shame above all that Clint left the band and they haven't released anything since.

Masterpiece, a must-have.