Track Listing

1. Contradictions Collapse: Paralyzing Ignorance
2. Contradictions Collapse: Erroneous Manipulation
3. Contradictions Collapse: Abnegating Cecity
4. Contradictions Collapse: Internal Evidence
5. Contradictions Collapse: Qualms Of Reality
6. Contradictions Collapse: We'll Never See The Day
7. Contradictions Collapse: Greed
8. Contradictions Collapse: Choirs Of Devastation
9. Contradictions Collapse: Cadeverous Mastication
10. None: Humiliative
11. None: Sickening
12. None: Ritual
13. None: Gods Of Rapture

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #112926 in Music
• Released on: 1999-06-08
• Number of discs: 1

Album Description
Reissue of the metal band's 1991 debut album with all four cuts from their 1994 EP 'None' added as bonus tracks, 'Humiliative', 'Sickening', 'Ritual' and 'Gods Of Rapture'. 13 tracks total. Also features the original cover art of both releases. 1999 release.

Customer Reviews

astonishing debut from one of metal's most unique bands
Long time Meshuggah listeners will drop a star on this CD in a comparative study to the latter catalogue, but as a debut and with the inclusion of the first EP "None", if taken as the CD should be intended, that is, an introduction to the band, it's one of metal's most amazing moments.
Called "math metal" by some, Meshuggah break all matter of rules from the outset. Tomas Haakes' circular duel tempo drumming and the start/stop attack of the guitars and bass give "Contradictions Collapse" quirkiness that could remind one of Zappa's more experimental works, or perhaps Edgar Varese, the composer who theorized about two totally different tunes melded into one work. Only masters like Robert Fripp in the latter King Crimson era veered close to this type of rhythmic chaos.
Add to that the jazz voicings of Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew" and the criminally underrated work of Denis "Piggy" D'Amour with VoiVod, and you get the idea. "Erroneous Manipulation" and "Abnegating Cecity" (whatever that is) are standout cuts. For a bonus, we get the EP "None", with its brighter production and shades of things to come. After such a devastating debut, there could be no doubt this most unusual outfit would stretch its creative boundaries wherever possible.
This debut is as important to the future of metal as were seminal albums by VoiVod ("Dimension: Hatross"), Prong ("Beg To Differ") and Fear Factory's awesome "Demanufacture", which now has "Remanufacture" as a second CD. All these discs are good company for those interested in seeing metal and industrial seek out new musical turf.

The start of something great
Even without looking at the track listing, it's obvious that "Contradictions Collapse" ends after the ninth track of this C.D. (a 1999 reissue of Meshuggah's first two official releases). The remaining four songs on the disc, which were taken from Meshuggah's 1994 EP, "None," feature matured songwriting from Meshuggah. These songs are more innovative and unique, and aren't as predictable as the nine tracks which preceded them. "None" is highlighted by Thomas Haake's first use of impeccable polyrhythms, tight, technical guitar playing, complex song structures, bigger and better production, and deeper vocals from Jens.

But even though "None" is far superior, "Contradictions Collapse"(recorded in 1991) is definitely not without charm. These songs rock hard, forcefully, and directly, and are ripe with hooky, abrasive, grinding riffs (which were obviously influenced by thrash groups like Metallica and early Pantera), start-stop rhythms, breakneck tempo changes, raw, pounding snare drums, guitar solos, Jens' young, hardcore-ish vocals (high pitched barks and even a few growls), and memorably catchy call-and-response shouts in the choruses. And, surprisingly, a couple spots of clean or acoustic guitar even sprout up, and supply a great, melodic contrast to the fast, heavy parts (something that would become rare on later Meshuggah albums). The second and third tracks, "Erroneous Manipulation" and "Abnegating Cecity," augment pounding, churning guitars with fast double bass drumming. Other highlights include "Internal Evidence," which is highlighted by a funky, slapped guitar line and a skipping beat, the stutter-stepping riffs and rapid fire drums on "Qualms Of Reality," and "Choirs Of Devastation," which opens with some of the aforementioned soft strumming before the song morphs into punching riffs, thumping drums, and eerie, spoken word vocals.

"Contradictions Collapse/None" is rather long (almost 80 minutes), but that just means there's more here to love. This release is an essential purchase if you consider yourself a Meshuggah fan. It gives a great background history for this great band (it really shows you how they have evolved and improved over time), and it's a convenient re-release of two albums that would otherwise be almost impossible to find today.

Meshuggah back when they resembled Metallica with a twist of technicality

If you have heard this album and then listened to Destroy Erase Emprove, then you already know there was a big jump there musically. Contradictions Collapse is a great Technical Thrash album. Not anything like what Meshuggah puts out today. Well, maybe with the exception of the tone of the guitar solos. Anyway, this album sounds alot like Metallica with Anthrax's back up vocal yells...but done in a Swedish way. Which makes for a great listen. From the very start of the album you'll be able to see what I mean. Very Bay City Thrash like. If you heard Meshuggah's newer stuff before you heard Contradictions Collapse then you're in for a surprise.

This album is undeniably a must have. And if you truly want to know Meshuggah's roots then you have to have it. Its also nice to have the None EP tracks on here as well. You get to see the start of some of the transition in sound and style. Simply great.