Ribozyme – Presenting The Problem (2012)

Ribozyme means ribonucleic acid enzyme. A ribozyme is an RNA molecule with a well defined tertiary structure that enables it to perform a chemical reaction. Many ribozymes are catalytic, but some such as self-cleaving ribozymes are consumed by their reactions. It may also be called an RNA enzyme or catalytic RNA. Investigators studying the origin of life have produced ribozymes in the laboratory that are capable of catalyzing their own synthesis under very specific conditions, such as an RNA polymerase ribozyme. Ribozymes may play an important role as therapeutic agents, as enzymes which tailor defined RNA sequences, as biosensors, and for applications in functional genomics and gene discovery.
Since forming in Bergen, Norway, in June 1998, Ribozyme have toured extensively in Norway and throughout Europe, while producing a total of four full length albums. They has signed to Indie Recordings for their new album which was released in Europe on the 10th of February 2012, and in North America on the 14th of February 2012. Moving step by step away from their Hard Rock roots and incorporating modern Rock and Metal influences, but also electronics and Industrial elements, their 5th album, “Presenting The Problem” it’s a colorful, intense and exciting trip to the outer limits of modern/post Rock and Metal boundaries merging genres, styles and influences. Think of something between Tool, Prong and Alice In Chains.
If you enjoyed the Brit Slunq a few weeks back, this new Ribozyme will definitively hit you. Their “Spoiled Portion” and Ribozyme’s “Presenting The Problem” are pushing the Post-Rock envelope at the same spot with pretty same results.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aGp725XFLU&w=545&h=307]

“Presenting the Problem” starts just like a The Shining turbulence from their murderous “Black Jazz” album, which definitively not a coincidence while Jørgen Munkeby is one of the guests featuring on the album. Otherwise the song sounds like a burning Prong track from the 90s.
“Lending a Fever” take a turn on the road paved by Alice In Chains, grinding riffs, contorted solos and subtle changing of rhythms with a fat, addictive chorus make this to be a modern Rock anthem.
“Leverage” introduce some of the schizophrenic saxophone lines of Jørgen Munkeby and this might be one of the most furious and intense songs from the album.
“Over The Galvanized” reminds me of Helmet and Prong from the 90s, but it have a few wobbling basses as well, make it sound very modern and groovy, still, maintaining a classy character of it. It’s an over 6 minutes long journey with some soul and powerful breakdowns, turns and shifts of atmosphere and ambient.
“Caskets” sliding smoothly into a more electronic area, translucent layers, modern rhythmic and grooves are merged with the gentle pulse.
“Downside Advantage” brings back some of their heaviness, the song have a nice and dark Alice In Chains vibe throughout.
“Scale of Values” speeding up a little, it’s like a Therapy? post-punk anthem on the fast-lane with another powerful chorus and some nicely pulsing riffs.
“Rewatched” get back to that darker, Alice In Chains perfumed path filled with sliding shadows and subtle tension.
“Paid in Graves” goes even deeper into the gloom, delivering some beautiful contrasts between acoustic breakdowns and electric blow-ups.
The closing “The Bricks Went Flying” it’s an over 7 minutes trip into the same darkly beautiful area of Post Rock/Post Grunge marked by Alice In Chains and A Perfect Circle fading out with a beautiful piano theme.

Tracklist:

01 Presenting the Problem 02:55
02 Lending a Fever 03:52
03 Leverage 01:58
04 Over The Galvanized 06:29
05 Caskets 04:04
06 Downside Advantage 03:31
07 Scale of Values 02:43
08 Rewatched 03:43
09 Paid in Graves 02:29
10 The Bricks Went Flying 07:30

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Indie Recordings