Is there such a thing as techno prog metal? Well there is now. Hailing from Hungary, After@All are on one hand incredibly unique and eclectic, melding razor sharp riffs and electronically altered vocals with complex "proggy" song structures and surging synth melodies. On the other, many of the influences here are not exactly those I wouldn't normally associate with "progressive" rock, and that's not a good thing. The vocal timbre (when not altered) has a distinct post-grunge feel, and the choruses use the same kind of stock, generic mosh riffs that recall heinous radio rock like Godsmack and Nickelback. On a more positive note, there is a striking King's X influence on a number of tracks, particularly in the crafting of catchy, bright choruses and impeccable hooks in with their heavy, morose blend. After@All almost seems like a cacophonous stew of all kinds of 90s alternative and industrial rock, slammed together and underpinned with a straight up prog rock love for eclecticism and all things in odd time signatures.
That said, there are plenty of moments on here that make me cringe, not because they're bad necessarily, but because the influences lifted often seem superficial, and just as often come from bands I don't like. I love Tool, but the token Maynard-ish ranting in "...hoffman" just seems contrived and unnecessary. Same for the Alice in Chains-like "l'image_d'une_etoile". At other times, when incorporating influences from third wave alternative rock like the aforementioned Godsmack, the band simply makes me want to take my own life. That's not to say this isn't a well done album, it is. The playing is top-notch. The entire affair is sharp, crisply produced and accessible, and in a perfect world, it would probably be a hit album. Ultimately though, one wonders what kind of audience this will hit with. Prog fans will likely be turned off by the obvious alt-rock influences, while 13 year old grunge kids will probably be lost by the complexity and dense arrangements (assuming they got the chance to hear it). Overall, while not necessarily to my liking, I'll say the album is certainly successful in what it seems to be trying to accomplish.

Greg Northrup