Human Factor/4.Hm.F

“Human factors refer to environmental, organizational and job factors, and human and individual characteristics which influence behavior at work in a way which can affect health and safety. A simple way to view human factors is to think about three aspects: the job, the individual and the organization and how they impact people’s health and safety-related behavior.”–Health and Safety Executive, United Kingdom

The job is progressive space rock; the individual is a Russian supergroup with members from Infront, Kaftan Smeha and Hagi Tragger; the organization is Human Factor. They describe their impact as “contemporary instrumental crossover between space, progressive, and alternative rock.” They certainly have the resumé and skills to get the job done, as well as references from Transubstans‘ Tobias Svensson handling the mastering. Slightly symphonic in just the right measure, technical without being rigid and sporting some effective crunch, 4.Hm.F is another great addition to R.A.I.G.‘s already impressive roster (Temple of the Smoke, Vespero, Seven That Spells, PSI Corps). To these ears, crossover may not be the most appropriate descriptor, with all the baggage that term implies, though 4.Hm.F should appeal to fans of modern instrumental rock as much as the spacey prognauts. The buzzing guitar crunch and much of the bottom end have a definite contemporary slant and propulsion, but layer on the soaring keys and the shifts in time and structure and you can feel the way-back machine start to kick in. And the old keeps up with the new on 4.Hm.F, both dovetailing through Human Factor’s playing keeping both feet in the present and an eye on the past that makes it sit pretty in either time. Or space. That goes for the engine room as well. Human Factor hums steadily on both the amped up Polaris and the more dissolving and dispersive Equilibrium and Tika. Stargazer detours into an Eastern tinge for another flavor, ratcheting up as it goes…all keeping a firm grasp on the melodic which by the end seems to be the spine that holds Human Factor upright. And once upright, you’re closer to that thinner air that, contrary to popular belief, we can thrive on.

Polaris :: Human Factor :: 4.Hm.F  (2012, R.A.I.G.)

About these ads