Full Album Stream: Animals As Leaders - The Joy of Motion

Not only does "Full Album Streams" gave folks something to listen to when they are cruising the site (being that the original intention of this site was to acts as a hub to explore), but also a chance for people to explore new artists, new genres, and new albums before deciding to purchase them (also from links on AFGM's site).

Full album streaming seem to be a new, easy streaming way that a lot of internet savvy people are jumping on.  It can be in the form of a Soundcloud widget, a YouTube playlist, or even a single YouTube video.  This often gives record labels a chance to promote new artists and for people to subscribe to their social media pages.  So hopefully this provides you access to some new music, bands, and/or artists.  Cheers!

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(Artwork by AFGM.  Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

Hailing from Washington, D.C., Animals As Leaders is a three piece instrumental progressive metal that started in the early days of 2007.  The group saw initial popularity through their debut [self-titled] release in 2009.  Band founder/guatrist Tosin Abasi originally gained noteriety in technical metal band Reflux, before joining Navene Koperweis and Javier Reyes as touring mates in AAL. As of 2015, the band lineup is:

Tosin Abasi – Guitar | Javier Reyes – Guitar | Matt Garstka – Drums

Their latest album, The Joy of Motion, was released on March 24th, 2014 via Sumerian Records.  It was produced by label mates Misha Mansoor (Periphery), Adam "Nolly" Getgood (Periphery), and also Diego Farias of Volumes.  The Joy of Motion also managed to push 13,000+ copies in it's first week of release.  It also landed AAL on the Billboard 200 chart at #23.


(Album artwork courtesy of Animals as Leaders, and Sumerian Records)

1. Ka$cade*
2. Lippincott*
3. Air Chrysalis
4. Another Year
5. Physical Education*
6. Tooth and Claw*
7. Crescent
8. The Future That Awaited Me
9. Para Mexer
10. The Woven Web
11. Mind-Spun
12. Nephele 

(* = AFGM Recommendations)

"Lippincott" is a solid example of what the album has to offer but sticks a little too closely to familiar territory to really represent The Joy of Motion. Songs like "Another Year" make you wonder where the hell riffs like the ones in the song have been on the past two albums with their jazzy finger style catchiness, while "Physical Education" is everything great about an eight-string jammed into one song. Taking that a step further, "Physical Education" could fit into a side-scrolling RPG game and nobody would even question it. -Metal Injection



The first thing that strikes us about this third album, The Joy Of Motion, is the musical breadth covered. Check out the ambient, heavy, delayed rhythm grooves on Air Chrysalis, the jazz fusion of Another Year, the touch of Latin influences on the nylon string-driven Para Mexer, and Tosin Abasi's distinctive, signature funky slap-bass grooves for his eight-string guitar that figure frequently throughout. -Music Radar

(Photo courtesy of Animals as Leaders, and Radikal.ru)

The Joy of Motion is a modern freerunning landscape complete with scenic vistas, complex obstacles, and luxurious rest stops that ensure you’ll frequent the course, learn more and more as you do, and never feel out of place or uncomfortable along the ride. While others try to force-feed their listeners mashed riffs or stewed solos, Abasi’s trio succeed here for their ability to let it all come together as a balanced and organic experience anyone from diehard fan to casual listener can enjoy. And by providing such a natural, accessible track that’s also challenging and rewarding, The Joy of Motion succeeds as a powerful and lasting musical venture that solidifies Animals as Leaders as not only musical trailblazers, but consistent frontrunners. -Sputnik Music