Universal Chaos
Universal Chaos keeps its progressive ideas inside relatively compact songs. Rendezvous Point give keyboards and Geirmund Hansen's voice a prominent role, with heavier guitar appearing around them. The Norwegian band's second album has several strong melodies and some thoughtful rhythmic detail. Its main weakness is the balance between those parts: the singing often makes a stronger impression than the instruments meant to support it.
Apollo is a good opening. The softer guitar and electronic setting let the voice establish the mood before the drums add more weight. It builds carefully rather than rushing towards a heavy section. Digital Waste follows with a more electronic edge and a memorable chorus, showing how well the band can connect modern production to a clear melodic idea.
The keyboards give much of the record its colour. The title track includes a lively synth feature, while The Fall and The Takedown bring piano closer to the centre. The first uses a repeating piano line against the surrounding music; the second gives the instrument a more decorative role. These differences help the sequence move without depending on a large change of style.
Unfaithful is more direct, using a rougher guitar sound and a firmer vocal attack. The change is welcome, although the repeated riff provides less development than the song needs. The quieter Resurrection allows the rhythm section more space, with changing accents and a stronger sense of groove. Undefeated then closes with a clear build, bringing the voice and instruments together more convincingly.
The production does not always help the heavier material. The guitars can sit too far behind the singing, and the denser passages feel boxed in. Hansen is an expressive singer, but placing so much emphasis on him makes some arrangements less effective. The electronic treatment on Digital Waste also draws attention away from what is otherwise a strong song.
Universal Chaos has enough good ideas to remain worthwhile, but they do not always reach their full impact. The better moments combine a memorable voice with careful changes in texture, while the weaker ones rely too heavily on the same front-and-centre delivery. Listeners who favour melodic, keyboard-led progressive rock may find plenty to enjoy. A more balanced sound would have made the whole record much stronger.
