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HEADLESS “Transitional Objects”
HEADLESS “Transitional Objects”
By Dr. Abner Mality
I prepared myself for another death metal band when I saw the name HEADLESS, but I’m actually delighted to say this Italian-based outfit play a much more accessible form of metal that mixes prog, AOR and grunge tendencies into an exceedingly easy to digest package.
First thing I notice about HEADLESS is that their singer is the great Swedish vocalist Goran Edman, who’s worked with YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, TALISMAN, KARMAKANIC and the super overlooked BRAZEN ABBOT. This guy is so smooth on vocals, he’s almost flawless. He’s not a guy that tries to out Halford Halford or out Tate Tate...not a lot of high pitched shrieks, but tons of incredibly catchy vocal lines, which he exhibits on “Transitional Objects”. He’s backed up by a very talented band of players.
Despite the “prog” tag, only “Fall To Pieces” exceeds 5 minutes in length and that’s the best track on the album. HEADLESS is focused on short, memorable tracks without a lot of bloat and that works fine for me. “Weightless” is a very bright and almost happy tune, fast and upbeat, and already Goran’s great choruses are in evidence. “Losing Power” is faster and more aggressive in tone, yet the melodies rival any AOR band like GIANT or even JOURNEY. The aforementioned “Fall To Pieces” is the true prog metal ripper here, chock full of riff and tempo changes and at some points almost seeming to be a more tuneful and commercial version of MESHUGGAH. Very sharp bass and drum work here!
“Misery” has a heavy, chugging core, but wonderful vocal melodies. This is the first song where the grunge elements start to emerge, only they are combined with AOR accessibility and metallic heaviness. On “Still My Thrill” and “Refugee”, thix mixture is even more pronounced; traces of ALICE IN CHAINS and STONE TEMPLE PILOTS at their best are in the vocal hooks and the grooving way the tunes unfold. The album swings to a couple of more metallic tracks, “No One’s Waiting”and “I Thought I Knew It All” to finish the record. Both are slightly darker and lean to the heavier end of grunge.
All in all, this album is as easy to swallow as a scoop of soft serve ice cream. A super appealing mix of elements topped off with outstanding vocals from Goran Edman.
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