51. Leprous – “Pitfalls”

And back to Norway for one of those bizarre instances where a Metal Band records an album without any metal in. Like Opeth before them, the metamorphose for Leprous has gradually happened over a number of records, however they have now reached their Heritage (the first Opeth record to have no Death Metal influences) and have produced their first record devoid of all metallic traits. However where Opeth have embraced seventies Prog, Leprous have gone for the nineties variety and succumbed to the charms of Radiohead, Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev. It feels much more in tune with “Kid A” and “Deserters Songs” than it does with previous Leprous records. This is all no bad thing and the band should be applauded for both their ambition and their sheer nerve.

It is a beautiful and fragile album. The melodies are subtle and whilst it is Prog, it is very restrained in how bombastic it does go. There are moments where it goes stellar and when it does, it is really rather magical. Not metal in way, shape or form. But still really really good.