Vain – Disintegrate Together

Hailing from Kristiansand, Norway, In Vain has been a pioneering force in Norwegian progressive extreme metal since 2003. Founded by guitarist Johnar Haaland and vocalist Andreas Frigstad, the band's melodic extreme metal sound set them apart early on. In 2007, In Vain released their first full-length album 'The Latter Rain', a collaborative effort with nearly twenty guest musicians, showcasing their prowess in diverse, progressive arrangements. Subsequent albums like 'Mantra' (2010) and 'AEnigma' (2013) continued to push musical boundaries. Their album 'Solemn' is showcasing exceptional musicianship across the board, and further elevating the experience with a resplendent, organic production, masterfully honed to perfection by Jens Bogren (Opeth, Dimmu Borgir, Katatonia, Devin Townsend, Kreator).

Hailing from Kristiansand, Norway, In Vain has been a pioneering force in Norwegian progressive extreme metal since 2003. Founded by guitarist Johnar Haaland and vocalist Andreas Frigstad, the band's melodic extreme metal sound set them apart early on. In 2007, In Vain released their first full-length album 'The Latter Rain', a collaborative effort with nearly twenty guest musicians, showcasing their prowess in diverse, progressive arrangements. Subsequent albums like 'Mantra' (2010) and 'AEnigma' (2013) continued to push musical boundaries. Their album 'Solemn' is showcasing exceptional musicianship across the board, and further elevating the experience with a resplendent, organic production, masterfully honed to perfection by Jens Bogren (Opeth, Dimmu Borgir, Katatonia, Devin Townsend, Kreator).

Their second and final album strongly echoes late-period Beatles, particularly Paul McCartney; in fact, it often seems pitched about midway between the 1969 and 1970 Beatles and the beginning of McCartney's solo career. Although it's hard to shake the nagging feeling while listening to this that it's somehow been created by a cover band who got access to discarded early-'70s McCartney demos, it's a convincing and enjoyable emulation of Lennon & McCartney's pop/rock craftsmanship, if more lightweight, less cogent and personal, and lacking in truly world-class tunes. It's on a much higher plateau than Klaatu, for instance. And the Beatles aren't the sole point of reference; guitar riffs on "Follow Me If You Can," for instance, have been altered just enough from Yes' "Roundabout" to avoid plagiarism, while the full guitars and harmonies on many cuts will appeal to many a Badfinger fan.

The Peruvian band We All Together, though unknown beyond a core cluster of cultists, was among the prime exponents of Beatlesque pop/rock in the early '70s. Led by singer and frequent composer Carlos Guerrero, who (along with some other members) had been in the Peruvian rock band Laghonia, they released two albums (singing in English) in the first half of the '70s. These were fashioned after the lighter side of the late-'60s Beatles, particularly in the vocal harmonies, melodic tunes, and sophisticated arrangements blending keyboards, acoustic guitars, and electric guitars in a graceful manner. Although Lennon, McCartney, and for that matter, Harrison's influence, show up in We All Together's work, they had more of an affinity for McCartney's engaging melodicism, to the point of covering some obscure, early McCartney solo tunes.