It is not often that you will find a band that has the ability, energy, and forethought to create an epic song that will have a run time of over 33 minutes. It is a bold challenge and I think very few bands could actually succeed in creating an entertaining as well as engaging song. What is the process that even goes into trying to achieve such a significant feat? Does it start out as a jam session that morphs into a colossal musical achievement? I don’t have the answers to these questions, but what I do know is We All Die (Laughing) have found a way to create an opus that keeps the listener engaged, entertained, and immersed in a grand song that when it finally ends, leaves the listener wishing for more.
We All Die (Laughing) is multi-instrumentalist Déh (Maladie, C.O.A.G.) and Arno Strobl (6:33, Carnival In Coal). Thoughtscanning is the name of this monolith and it is one of the most interesting songs I have heard in a long time. Categorizing this song is difficult because as one can imagine in 33 minutes the song moves through doom, post-metal, progressive metal and much more. Starting off on a slow pace with a comfortable doom appeal into a guitar intro straight from the blues handbook. It is an interesting opening as you just can’t quite feel where the song is headed as the clean brooding vocals begin. Throughout the song the vocals alternate between clean singing, screams, growls and even some cries that ebb and flow with the mood of the song and evoke depression, anger and rage with beauty and confidence. Thoughtscanning transitions from the slow intro to the mid paced middle of the song, alternating back and forth at times from melancholy to pure anger. At the 16:30 mark the songs seems to be coming to a final climax but transitions sharply back into despondency and aggression as the song continues down it’s dark path. As the song reaches the outro it’s scope is solidly in view and the album finishes just as it began, full of melancholy.
I will say that Thoughtscanning is one of the harder albums I have had to review in a long time. The single song was not something that I was expecting when I chose to review this album but it has turned out to be one of the most satisfying albums I have come across. This song, epic as it may be, is so well put together that you will find yourself forgetting how long it is as you become immersed in the sound. An ambitious song that doesn’t challenge the listener’s patience but rewards them with a strikingly solid genre bending accomplishment of massive proportions.
Do yourself a favor and take the time to listen to this album/song from We All Die (Laughing) you will not be disappointed. I am confident you will find yourself, like me, listening to it over and over again forgetting just how long it is and immersing yourself in the journey.
