Album Review: The Motion Mosaic – Avant-Garbage (Self Released)

The Motion Mosaic return in 2020 with their second full length album Avant-Garbage. The play on words highlights the band’s desire to cut away from contrived long form and pull closer to their musical tastes and personal attributes. Recorded at Backroom Studios in New Jersey, the group found a respite from Minneapolis and looked to the best in the business. Kevin Antreassian (Dillinger Escape Plan, The Number 12 Looks Like You, John Frum) provided the band with deep knowledge for the style of production required for an unorthodox approach.

With metalcore roots and a strong desire to dip their feet in every genre and subgenre across the board, The Motion Mosaic have come together, newly formed with aspirations to defile all expectations and burn the remains.

Avant-Garbage will be released on February 22nd 2020.

Looking to muddle the mind from the start, The Motion Mosaic come steaming out of the gates with Broke Roads. A track with very little order to it, as the guitars deliver choppy rhythm and madness-inducing flips and twists. If all of that wasn’t enough, the continual assault of the drums and vocals that lean towards the more extreme side of metal just compounds things. This goes on for nearly 6 minutes. If your brain isn’t leaking out of your ears already, hold on, they’re just getting started.

Capital Offense is just as frenzied and wacky, an animated wander through the mind of a band seemingly incapable of holding on to one thought for too long. Don’t let that put you off though as this is one of those unique experiences.

Case in point, Nirvana, A track that burns with righteous metal fire. A flame that is so out of control, it’s likely to engulf everything it touches.

Seemingly aware that most will need a moment to reflect on what has been heard so far; Solar is a short and eerie sounding bit of melody. One that conjures up an image of dusk falling and peacefulness lying across the land.

Peace that is shattered with the fiendish DMT Daydream, hysterical Highway Amnesia and down-right wickedness of Cancer and Cure. If you’ve made it this far, chances are you’re as all in on the senselessness as I am. The line between madness and genius is very thin here.

Take a breather with the mellow shortness of Lunar before Blue Skies Over Bedlam dares to be a bit catchy. Don’t get me wrong, it’s got the usual chaotic fury about it yet it is better structured or maybe, that’s just the mind getting used to The Motion Mosaic’s sound.

Regardless, the absurdity of what this band have accomplished here comes to an end with arguably the most polarising track, Muad’Dib. Is it chaotic brilliance? Yes. Is it one of the most challenging listens of 2020 also? Absolutely. Will you be back for more? Without a shadow of a doubt.

The Motion Mosaic – Avant-Garbage Full Track Listing:

1. Broke Roads
2. Capital Offense
3. Nirvana
4. Solar
5. DMT Daydream
6. Highway Amnesia
7. Cancer and Cure
8. Lunar
9. Blue Skies Over Bedlam
10. Muad’Dib

Links

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