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Caliban

The Opposite From Within (2004)
Abacus Recordings

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Brian
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on October 5th 2004

With the scattered passages of melody and clean singing, you would immediately think that Caliban has made a natural progression on The Opposite From Within. But after a few initial listens, it then becomes obvious that this progression is the not-too-distant result of a ragged journey.

The transitions to melody in The Opposite From Within are just too awkward. Caliban is, for the most part, straightforward, blast-beat metalcore. But the abrupt switches to melodic singing and slight octave use in a song like "Stand Up" is too sudden to work well, even though the addition of the screams somewhat smooth it out. The band is at their best when carried by growled verses over galloping double-bass and no holds barred riffing, but even then, they'll deploy this same formula over and over, and the songs sound way too similar as a result.

Producer and In Flames frontman Anders Fridén must have definitely provided advice to lead vocalist Andy Dorner in his screaming style - the way Dorner barks pulsating screams definitely carry similarities to the same style employed by Fridén on the last few In Flames albums. Plus, there's a definite Scandinavian metal influence in the guitar work at times, which comes as no surprise considering Caliban's originating area (Germany) but the whole package nowadays is quite rooted in American metalcore.

It's intense without pretension or over-dramatization, which is definitely one of the most welcomed "lack thereofs" I've had the pleasure of listening to in a while. But the failure to mix melody with aggressiveness well and avoid changing things up enough to keep my interest completely intact makes The Opposite From Within a just decent release that's held back by its own forced initiative to expand beyond its predeceasing work.

MP3
The Beloved and the Hatred

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Anonymous (February 22, 2006)

Caliban r ok! But i cant understand what they say.
But i love screaming music at the moment.
You should listen to them if u havent heard em
But yeh i like em. lol

where_is_the_muffin (October 7, 2005)

Caliban is good stuff. "The opposite from within" will tear you apart and then push you off a building...doesn't matter how big or small the building is, but you will be pushed. Listen to them, it's worth it.

Anonymous (October 7, 2005)

I agree with the guy below me. I like this band.

Anonymous (August 7, 2005)

This is my faveroite album, I know its not for everyone becasue they refuse to listen to good music and instead listen to what is popular, but I suggest that you give it a try before passing judgement on it.

Anonymous (July 25, 2005)

I LOVE THIS ALBUM AND ALL OF YOU ARE ON CRACK FOR NOT LIKING IT. and the mars votla is so gay that it makes me want to cry. nails in a chalkboard i tell you. anyway to those who dont like caliban....EAT SHIT.

Anonymous (June 20, 2005)

Fuck you all!!! caliban kicks all your bitch asses

heavymetalheadforeverpussies

Anonymous (May 2, 2005)

Metalcore is the new nu-metal. This band are good. That's it. GOOD but they are not doing anything special. Here is a list of a few artists who in my view are changing the world of heavey music for the better.....

Mastodon
Converge
Isis
Mike Patton
deftones
mars volta
the end
neurosis
Im board and have nothing to do!

Foaming_97 (March 5, 2005)

I thought this cd was pretty decent. I dunno really I'm just now gettin into this metalcore stuff.

Anonymous (November 15, 2004)

metalhardcore is the worst shit since the popstar search shows....

Anonymous (November 3, 2004)

Absolutely great after a thorough listening! A lot of potential in this band, still to be developped, anyone listening to it seriously will have the same thought!

This album is absolutely refreshing muckers!

Anonymous (October 8, 2004)

"Or perhaps Prospero's creature minion from The Tempest."

Yeah, that would make more sense seeing that in Fowle's novel "Caliban is used as an allusion".

-notfeelingcreative

Anonymous (October 7, 2004)

take this fucking shit to metal blade or something, its fake hardcore and doesnt deserve to be on punknews. sort it out mate, i dont want any more fuck ups like this. i wanna see a review for something good like knife fight

Anonymous (October 7, 2004)

I don't like metalcore and I hate bands how "wanna" play it.. :-))

Anonymous (October 6, 2004)

Fuck this band and fuck the Germans.

Huns.

FortyMinutesWest (October 6, 2004)

As said earlier, a definite step back.

Jesse (October 6, 2004)

Yeah dude, Caliban was the worst sort of worthless creature. Groveling, sniveling fish-beast. Why would you name your band after it? I mean, honestly now...

tahoejeff (October 6, 2004)

Whats even worse is that it looks like the fucking grateful dead skull and wings...Ugghh

tahoejeff (October 6, 2004)

Theres the fucking skull and wings again...

Anonymous (October 5, 2004)

I thought it was a play on the word "Taliban." Oops.

(Where's the Tom Waits review?)

-Chinatown

Anonymous (October 5, 2004)

this is a definite step backwards for them.
the split with heaven shall burn and "vent" were their best

punkcorekid (October 5, 2004)

wow I can't believe Caliban was reviewed.....good stuff....

Anonymous (October 5, 2004)

Or perhaps Prospero's creature minion from The Tempest.

Anonymous (October 5, 2004)

If this band took their name from the John Fowles novel "The Collector", it almost gives them a cool point, otherwise, no thanks.

-notfeelingcreative