Anubis Gate - The Detached [2009]

There are few better things in this world to experience than The Detached. It's an album so flaw-free and beyond belief that I actually find difficulty describing it, a reality not helped by it sounding like nothing else on this earth. For sixty-five minutes, there is only music; sublime music that will outlive this life and all others, creating a gateway to another time and space only accessible through its cosmic flow, breathtaking story, and sweeping melodies. In all the genre's years of existence, prog of any kind has never surpassed it, and it will be difficult for anyone beyond the band itself to expand upon this lucid euphoria. Anubis Gate alone wears the crown, and this is the jewel on it that shines the brightest.

The music here is so far out of this world, it makes ours seem brutish and dated in comparison. The atmosphere is everything, and Anubis Gate has shifted from apocalyptic themes to that of space. The production engrosses the listener with all the jet stream leads, dark rhythms, and high-register vocal shooting stars one would expect from the prestigious Anubis Gate, launching them beyond all known life into the crystal clear sky. Which is to say, it sounds really freaking good. Every corner, every instrument, and every electronic effect used to enhance the sound comes off in a vibrant, crystal clear manner. Such a digital recording often conveys a false sense of plasticity, but that couldn't be further from the truth; this sounds huge, brilliant, and futuristic.

The Detached is conceptual genius, but the full glory of the tale cannot be felt without the physical copy's booklet, something I discovered long after listening to it. The lyrics, although bright and often wonderful, cannot express all the details of this film-worthy story, one that I wouldn't want to spoil for you. Where the album's mark is most felt, of course, is in the songwriting, which is absolutely unparalleled. The verse to chorus relationship always feels just right, and the placement of samples and effects could not be better to produce its spacy environment. There are concise tracks and there are lengthy epics, and both manage to hold your mesmerised attention for their respective durations. Instrumental sections from the band's previous albums have been fine-tuned and made even longer than before. Let's just say I'm not complaining. This is a group of virtuosos unequaled in their skill to write simple but compelling music, never showing overwhelming technical prowess, but also never needing to, either.

There are too many brilliant songs to recount here, and their placement is divine. "Yiri" certainly stands as one of the best, with a wonder-provoking verse leading to its heavenly chorus. "Pyramids" transmits images of its title straight into your mind with its rolling Egyptian rhythms. "Dodecahedron" succeeds in spades, casting poetic imagery through the stratosphere, complete with a crafty intro. "Out of Time" is an elegant ballad that boasts some of the most emotional lyrics on the record. At the end, all instruments fade away, leaving an A Capella chorus that's nothing short of mindblowing. The little interlude "Ammonia Snow" must also get a mention, crafting a nice atmospheric piece that reprises some parts of the jubilant "Find a Way (Or Make One)" from earlier on the album. The Detached concludes with its best track, however. "A Lifetime to Share" bears an unbelievable chorus that must be heard to be believed, seemingly wrapping up the story... and yet that necessary feeling of wonder lingers still.

Anubis Gate cannot be confined with lines. They don't perfectly fit into any genre or description, instead bearing an otherworldly vibe dissimilar to any other band even colloquially within the progressive metal district. The Detached is perfection that could not have been created in our world, truly one of the best albums of all time. Own it or be worthless; your choice.

   Overall: 10/10 (Beyond Absolute)