THE HUMAN ABSTRACT LIFT THEIR DIGITAL VEIL

All’s been quiet from The Human Abstract since 2008’s controversial Midheaven which saw the band go both softer and more proggy, setting off a firestorm of both Internet hate and Internet praise. The very mention of Midheaven here is sure to set off some sparks in our comments section where readers who didn’t make it past this article’s first sentence are already headed; shit’s like Jon Stewart vs. Bill O’Reilly-level arguing and side-taking. Human Abstract fans are an impassioned bunch.

The good news is that The Human Abstract’s next album Digital Veil, due for an early 2011 release, is something of a return to the band’s roots but it certainly doesn’t just re-tread worn ground. We know so because the guys invited us to hang out at The Machine Shop in New Jersey this summer while they tracked songs with producer Will Putney, and what we heard was a collection of ass-kicking tracks that are most definitely heavier than most of Midheaven but didn’t sacrifice any of their trademark progressive nerdery for brute force. Without a doubt the return of guitarist A.J. Minette has had an effect on both the band’s amped-up heaviness factor and tightened compositions; dude’s been studying classical guitar on a collegiate level during his absence and came to the studio armed with full-on, multi-track midi compositions of every tune on the album. They’ve also got a new vocalist in ex-From First to Last screamer Travis Richter, shedding the seemingly poisonous Nathan Ells and a new bassist in longtime friend Henry Selva. They also don’t have to put up with producer Toby Wright this time around, who the band was at odds with for most of the Midheaven sessions. The result is a re-tuned, tightened and reinvigorated unit with a new album on the horizon that’s going to make a serious impact on the modern metal scene.

Hear what’s in store for Digital Veil in the quick studio clip above.

-VN

Thanks to k3y-th and Loic C for sending this in over the weekend.