Review: Knave – Cognition
Sergio reviews Knave’s brilliant new album.
Artist Name: Knave
Album Name: Cognition
Year: 2009
Genre: Hard Rock
Ever since the release of their debut album, Polarity, Knave have gone on to become one of the most beloved names in South African rock. Their explosive live performances and die-hard fans undoubtedly put the pressure on the band to make their sophomore album even better than the first. And finally, after numerous studio delays and re-recordings, Cognition has arrived!
As soon as the intro ends and track 2, ‘The Cause’, kicks in, I immediately notice that Cognition has a better overall production value than Polarity – the guitar has much more crunch, the drums and cymbals are clearer, the bass is just right, and vocalist Chris Steenkamp’s voice is finally allowed the opportunity to shine at the top of the organised chaos.
Much like Seether, Knave are blessed with the ability to write songs that will simultaneously delight true rockers and radio stations. Their journey to commercial stardom may also be further aided by the decision to introduce ballads and softer songs, which actually turn out to be some of their strongest tracks. ‘The Abandoned Ballet’, for example, is possibly one of the best songs I’ve heard this year and if 5fm doesn’t playlist it, I really give up on local radio stations then!
For the fans of Knave’s harder tracks like ‘Suiciety’, there are plenty of headbanging-horns-in-the-air moments on ‘Post Meridiem’ and ‘Nervosa’ – still plenty of growls and hard-hitting, so don’t stress that they’ve gone soft, grown emo fringes and turned into Fall Out Boy!
In conclusion, Cognition is a huge step forward that will most likely continue to set Knave even further apart from other local hard rock outfits. It’s definitely become my favourite local album of the year. Highly recommended.
Best Tracks: ‘The Cause’, ‘The Abandoned Ballet’, ‘Nervosa’ and ‘Withered’
87/100
- Sergio Pereira
sergio@musicreview.co.za
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(7 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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Sounds Brilliant! Me Wantee!
I have it…and its all that and more!!!
[...] Between The Buried and Me’s The Great Misdirect, Alice in Chains’ Black Gives Way to Blue, Knave’s Cognition, Amorphis’ Skyforger, Kasabian’s West Rider Pauper Lunatic Asylum, Scouting for Girls’ [...]
just heard this magnificent band. ‘Hollow Chamber’ song + video is damn cool. didn’t know that these alt.metal guys are from other continent. Far away from Australia. Hope to see you guys here one day.
New album though it’s a 2009 release but im listening to it right now and this definitely be the most playable CD on my stereo for sure.
keep up the good work.
cheers!!!
from Canberra, (Australia)
Hi Yanzzah!
thank you so much for the awesome comment.
it means a lot to us, and especially me.. as my favourite bands are from Australia.
-Cog
-Karnivool
-Butterfly Effect
-Dead Letter Circus
so thank you!
you have those kinds of awesome bands and still think we’re rad, that’s AWESOME!
keep on rocking!
~Jean
[...] faired favourably in our review system. You have to check them out. We recommend getting hold of Cognition [...]
[...] Knave have been slacking off since 2009’s Cognition, but we’ll forgive them, because this album is still [...]
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