COMMUNIC Hiding From The World

Some bands never seem to run out of inspiration, and Communic is firmly among that rare group. Hiding From the World marks their sixth full‑length album, their second release through AFM Records, and once again they deliver a level of consistency that has become their trademark.

Where Where Echoes Gather struck me immediately back in 2017, the new material took a bit longer to fully reveal its depth. But after several listens, the songs began to settle in, and the album’s strengths became unmistakable. All the familiar Communic elements are present: a foundation of progressive power metal, rich with emotion and dynamic shifts, topped by Oddleif Stensland’s unmistakably charismatic vocals.

The songwriting is varied in both structure and tempo, moving seamlessly from atmospheric, mellow passages to heavier, more intense sections, even incorporating bursts of blast‑beat energy. As always with Communic, the tracks lean toward the longer side; seven songs plus a brief intro stretch just past the 60‑minute mark. Yet the band uses that space well, allowing themes to develop naturally without feeling indulgent.

In the end, Hiding From the World is quintessential Communic, nothing more, nothing less. And that’s meant as high praise. It’s pure quality from start to finish, reaffirming why this band remains one of the most dependable forces in modern progressive metal.

Discography:

Hiding From The World (2020)

Where Echoes Gather (2017)

The Bottom Deep (2011)

Payment Of Existence (2008)

Waves Of Visual Decay (2006)

Conspiracy In Mind (2005)