Pomegranate Tiger- Boundless
Pomegranate Tiger is a project by Canadian musician Martin Andres. Two albums have been released to date- Entities(2013) and Boundless(2015).
9/21/20241 min read
Pomegranate Tiger is a project by Canadian musician Martin Andres. While its sound could be categorized as progressive metal, there is plenty of genre-bending experimentation. Along with big, jarring riffs and crushing heaviness, its albums include classical music pieces as well. The drama and strong emotion created by this combination are a source of its aesthetic appeal. Two albums have been released to date- Entities(2013) and Boundless(2015).
Boundless’ instrumentation is predominantly a one-man show. Andres has recorded the guitars, drums, and piano. His complete creative control has resulted in a more polished sound as compared to Entities. The album is also varied in its tone- beginning on an empowering note with Manifesto and ending with a poignant string quartet piece called Ovation. A noteworthy feature of the album are the lurching, djent-y riffs prominent on Boundless, Stomp The Haunted Clown, and With Knives As Teeth. Andres’ guitar solos are fast-paced, melodious and expressive. Though every track has a central melody it returns to, there are frequent changes. This is just enough to keep the listener hooked without creating an impression of mindless noodling.
I like how the track The Masked Ball seamlessly transitions to a piano-centric piece- Paper Hammers. The piano runs on this song are haunting. Andres also demonstrates his penchant for piano runs on the album’s single Cyclic.
Though this is a well-composed album, I would have liked a few more classical pieces. The classical pieces on Entities were also far more poetic than the ones on this album. Another thing worth mentioning is the album art designed by Maldivian artist Maahy. The artwork is a good visual representation of the music’s intricacy. It somewhat enhances the listening experience.
Overall, the album is intricate and rich in texture. It has also been produced well; all the instruments are clearly distinguishable. It succeeds in being dramatic and awe-inspiring for its listener. The skillful instrumentation, production, and artwork make it a complete piece of art.