Koloss - Meshuggah
Metascore
78 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
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  1. Metal Hammer (UK)
    Mar 26, 2012
    90
    Koloss is truly phenomenal. [Apr 2012, p.100]
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  2. Spin
    Mar 26, 2012
    90
    This unpredictability -the 25-year-old band's trademark attraction--is what keeps them at the forefront of metal's vanguard, and what makes Koloss, for all its "normalcy" (joke quotes intended), the first real contender for the genre's album of the year.
  3. The A.V. Club
    Mar 27, 2012
    83
    The good news is, it's another predictably fantastic Meshuggah album. The bad news is, it's another predictably fantastic Meshuggah album.
  4. The Wire
    Apr 18, 2012
    80
    They're wise enough to leave breathing space, such as the final minute of "The Hurt That Finds You First," which codas into a swishing corridor of guitar licks, or "The Last vigil," which brings the album wordlessly to rest on a pall of interleaved, echoing guitar chimes. [Mar 2012, p.56]
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  5. BBC Music
    Apr 2, 2012
    80
    It assures us all that Meshuggah can still bury their copyists while leading the way when it comes to intelligent, thoughtful and undeniably brutal heavy metal.
  6. The Quietus
    Mar 29, 2012
    80
    Koloss runs the gamut of Meshuggah's craft and technical prowess.
  7. All Music Guide
    Mar 29, 2012
    80
    Meshuggah have easily proven to listeners time and time again that they know their way around their instruments better than most, so even though Koloss isn't the band's most daring or experimental work to date, it's definitely worth any metal fan's time.
  8. Exclaim
    Mar 27, 2012
    80
    Although their sound has been copied Ad infinitum, with Koloss, Meshuggah prove that they still do it best.
  9. Sputnikmusic
    Mar 26, 2012
    80
    By making precise tweaks and adjustments to their sound by approaching Koloss with a new attitude, all the while holding fast to their core strengths, Meshuggah have given us the first truly engaging metal album of 2012.
  10. Drowned In Sound
    Mar 26, 2012
    80
    Koloss, however, is a real triumph of its genre: inventive, surprising, pleasingly punchy, unashamedly aggressive with just enough shade, tone and melody to balance the raucous but impressive production.
  11. Q Magazine
    Apr 2, 2012
    60
    Leaving no room for nuance,it's a relentlessly dark wall of sonic aggression. [Apr 2012, p.101]
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  12. Alternative Press
    Mar 26, 2012
    60
    The trouble is, not much sets this new album apart from their career benchmarks, like 2002's Nothing or 1998's Chaosphere.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. beezball
    9
    My first few listens didn't make how I felt about it clear. It was not an instant hit with me. But, I am glad to say that after multiple times through the album it's really starting to grow on me. Some tracks are a bit monotonous, including the introductory track (which is a shame). But most of the tracks are top notch. There is a lot more variation in style this time around, including intro's to a lot of songs, which is unusual for Meshuggah, but I dig it. I give it a solid 9 out of ten.… Full Review »
  2. Dybfest
    10
    After the first listen I was not able to wrap my head around Koloss. It is so massive and organic, yet thoroughly precise through all it's convulsions and dark twists. It took a few listens before the songs grew on me. I hoped for a "Nothing pt. 2" album, and I must say, my expectations were by far exceeded. They have revisited some of their previous moods, such as having intros and outros, but still managing to keep things fresh and intense.Some of the songs becomes quite monotonous at times. But that still fits the big picture, the overall feeling of this album. As an ever growing, ever changing entity, Meshuggah yet again shows us that no bands out there can ever match their colossal, ogranic groove. It is fantastic to hear that great music still can be made with well positioned mics, hard work and pure talent. 10 out of 10.… Full Review »
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