MENTAL TORMENTS

France isn't a country you would usually associate with Prog-Metal but SPHERIC UNIVERSE EXPERIENCE is out to change that. These guys are definitely as good as advertised. Very melodic with a good singer (Engish) and lots of heaviness. Lets just say that as a long time Prog-Metal fan these guys make me proud. I can't say it any better then that.

"So Cold" powers up fairly quickly with a nice heavy and rich sound. Synths and vocals before a minute. The vocals get passionate before 2 minutes as contrasts continue. I like the crunchy riffs. Nice chunky bass too followed by synths as the heaviness continues.The guitar rips it up too. "Now Or Ever" opens with keyboards before a powerful instrumental display takes over. A calm with synths after a minute. Drums and vocals join in. A nice heavy instrumental section with keys after 3 minutes. Passionate vocals follow. A good crunchy sound 5 1/2 minutes in before a long guitar solo ends it. "Burning Box Gala" sounds cool to open before a crushing soundscape takes over. Nice. Riffs with piano 2 minutes in as synths wash in. Lots of time changes here before a stampede of drums comes crashing in. I like the synths too. An amazing instrumental ! Check out the drum work early in "Saturated Brain" ! I like the opening guitar too. Synths roll in. Vocals a minute in. It settles with piano 2 minutes in but not for long ! Contrasts continue. Blistering guitar before 6 minutes. Vocals are back before 7 minutes. An all out assault ends it.

"Moonlight" opens with keys and drums. Synths and vocals follow. A thunderous attack before 1 1/2 minutes. How good is this 2 minutes in ! Ripping guitar after 3 1/2 minutes. Synths wash in. Piano and spoken words end it. "Halleygretto" opens with piano as drums and synths join in.The tempo picks up as guitar and heaviness follows. "Mental Torments" is the 15 1/2 minute title track. It opens fairly heavily with deep bass and drums. Vocals and synths after 1 1/2 minutes. The guitar comes flying in at 6 minutes. Killer rhythm section here as well. It's spacey 7 minutes in. Piano and vocals change that after 8 minutes then it kicks in again. Spacey synths and drums before 10 minutes. Heavy again as the tempo and mood continues to change. I like when it fades out then comes back in to end it. "Echoes Of The Stars" opens with thunder and rain as guitar and keys come in. Drums and synths follow in this laid back tune. Vocals 2 minutes in. It's heavier 4 1/2 minutes in. Guitar solo before 7 1/2 minutes. Great sound a minute later to end it.

I highly recommend "Mental Torments" to all you Prog-Metal fans out there.