This Hungarian five-piece leans toward the technical-metal side of things on this, their first full lenght release, though be prepared for plenty of surprises – especially in their ability to incorporate an expanded range of influences including blues, jazz, hunk, and fusion. The band is on goo footing in the chops department, though the keyboards tend to be used more for effect than as the vehicle for melodic content, as it might be in other Hungarian bands we all know well. Guitars drive the show here, and the rhythm section provides a solid, sometimes eclectic foundation that keeps each piece interesting. The vocals aren’t your standard fare either; lead vocalist Szabolcs Oláh is a true chameleon, taking on a number of different characters in a very theatrical sense, going from a powerful wail to spoken parts to muted whispering all within the confines of the same song. All of the lyrics with the exception of one bonus track are sung in English. Add to all this a willingness to play with studio experimentation as an integral part of the composition, and you’ve got a sound that climbs well above the average clichéd stylistic confines of standard prog-metal. Many brilliant cuts abound: „Bloom,” with its apparent 80s Crimson influence is an immediate standout, as is the funky „Freakzoid.” The two part piece „Dust In…” and „…Hoffman” apply an agressive jagged guitar-driven feel with processed vocals, while „Synthetic” packs a heavy punch, combining a radical array of styles. All good stuff!

Peter Thelen