CoC : Hidden - Spectral Magnitude : Review

Hidden - _Spectral Magnitude_
(Red Stream, 2002)
by: Aaron McKay (7 out of 10)

Hidden says it all. This band is nearly a virtual unknown. No information exists about this debut release from Red Stream. Where are they from? Who are they? Why do they delve into the expansive nature of space for inspiration? All these questions and the countless others they bring to mind are totally without answers. Hell, I kinda like that. Sometimes we are all-too-caught-up in the membership of a certain band or who they may or may not know. With Hidden, this is mostly irrelevant. Music is all that matters here and ya know what -- the tunes are damn fine, too. Protracted and laborious, Hidden pounds out the bass lines like a meteor storm on a lunar surface. Atmosphere is heavy throughout _Spectral Magnitude_, which plays well into the concept of space and the vast expanse on this effort. Subdued blackened vocals with elements of Borknagar-esque stylings pick up well on the cold and doom-laden tone set by this debut offering. Nine cuts of power and covert beauty float on harshly scathed waves of sound for the gratification of Hidden listeners. While I support the anonymity of this band, I might suggest a bit more of variance in song structure to stoke the levels of interest. All the pieces are present for the creation of a flawless sophomore effort, including Dusk-like passages mixed with the occasional calculated barbarity. Hidden has a lot going for them even though it may be obscure to some. Let me be clear: watch Hidden close 'cause I can foresee a time when this band may eclipse some of their Red Stream labelmates. Of course, if you have any questions about that or any thing else where Hidden is concerned, your guess is as good as mine. Celestial metal may be the next new (cosmic) wave.

(article published 31/3/2003)

ALBUMS
25/2/2011	C Drishner	3	Hidden - Dead Land Energy