Progressive

Sear Bliss — Eternal Recurrence

Posted on Friday, March 9th, 2012 at 4:04 pm.

Originally written for Angry Metal Guy.

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Sear Bliss are a black metal band from Szombathely, Hungary. They have been active since 1993, founded by vocalist (who is also the) bassist (who plays some) keyboardist Andras Nagy. Eternal Recurrence is their seventh full-length album. Sear Bliss began recording Eternal Recurrence in late July of 2011 and spent two months in the studio. Known for their complex and multi-layered instrumentation, the band have incorporated wind and brass instruments into their sound, as well as synthesizers. …

Almah — Motion

Posted on Friday, March 9th, 2012 at 3:48 pm.

Originally written for Exclaim!

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Almah (a Hebrew word that means “maiden”) are a Brazilian prog/power metal band that initially started as Edu Falaschi’s (Angra) side-project. Almah evolved into a full-fledged band and Motion is their third full-length release. As the band have come into their own, the releases have become progressively better, but they still display playfulness and disorganization. Motion isn’t an aesthetically or conceptually cohesive release, but rather functions as a kind of sampler for aesthetics and techniques that Almah …

Vildhjarta — Masstaden

Posted on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 at 7:12 pm.

Originally written for About Heavy Metal.

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Swedish 7-piece band Vildhjarta play extreme/progressive metal influenced heavily by Meshuggah, a style often referred to as djent. Måsstaden is their debut full-length, they have produced only one other EP, 2009′s Omnislash, and are currently signed to Century Media. Måsstaden represents a significant departure from the clean, clear vocals on Omnislash. It is much heavier, with harsh and distorted vocals. This is a surprise, but not, in the end, an unwelcome one.The instrumentation on Måsstaden is much denser, which suits the darker vocal performance well. The …

Cynic — Carbon-Based Anatomy

Posted on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 at 6:33 pm.

Originally written for About Heavy Metal.

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After a dearth of material for so many years, fans are slavering for more material from Cynic, who once again oblige and attempt to sate this hunger with their latest EP, Carbon-Based Anatomy. The album follows 2008′s full-length Traced In Air and 2010′s Retraced EP.Cynic are currently based in Los Angeles, CA, and create experimental, progressive rock that combines elements of metal and jazz fusion. Their first album, Focus, was a landmark progressive metal release. Any time Cynic compose and release music, …