EXIVIOUS

Exivious is, hands-down, the greatest tech metal album ever recorded, if you can consider it metal at all. Much like its sister band Cynic, Exivious is a band of elite musicians unsatisfied with the limitations of the metal genre striving to expand the possibilities of what a metal band can do and be. Melding elements of jazz fusion and an almost baroque precision, they transcend both metal and fusion into a realm only briefly visited by a few others like them, the ilk of Planet X and Aghora. This is virgin territory, and as is the case with any serious musical exploration, it incurs great risk; but Exivious has hit upon something truly phenomenal.

The key to this band's sound is a very precise balance of textures. The burning metal tracks are foiled by the powerfully serene and atmospheric "All That Surrounds" parts 1 and 2, giving much-needed depth and sonic variety to the record. Within individual songs, the feel changes often enough to keep things interesting, but there is enough repetition that you can get a handle on what's going on. The riffs themselves are technically challenging yet melodic enough to enjoy harmonically.

Be warned: this is not an easy album to get into. I guarantee that the first listen will be absolutely overwhelming for even the biggest tech metal aficionado. After a few times through you will begin to recognize some of the repeated patterns, and once you become adjusted to the sound of the band you'll be able to keep up with these maniacs and really enjoy it. Exivious is the best metal album since Traced In Air, and I would say it's even more impressive instrumentally. I can't wait to see what Tymon and Zielhorst accomplish in Cynic. It is my earnest hope that this music finds its way into the higher metal circles and influence the direction of the genre in the next few years.