POLYSEMY

Javier has a very refreshing, unique style of playing (I personally can get rapidly fatigued from modern Prog Metal); and this, I think stronger than his debut EP a few years prior, will help you better realize (as it did me) his creative function in Animals As Leaders. His unique approach can really be heard on "Menos Mal". Not that we don't have a ton to praise in Tosin Abasi; Javier is perhaps just overshadowed unfairly [Really, though, who am I to even say?]. The tracks "Mt. Pleasant", "Manifestacion" and "Uno Mas More", for instance, may cause you to wonder how many of your favorite AAL songs are actually penned by Reyes and not Abasi.

What I really didn't realize fully before is that Mestis is Javier, not only guitar and bass performed here by him, but also drums(?)! Drums are certainly programmed jointly with AAL bandmate Matt Garstka, and featured throughout (I presume on bass) is Joe Lester of Intronaut.

The track "Eclipse" features both Mario Camarena and Erick Hansel of the firebrand Math-Prog trailblazers Chon. Compared to what came before, we have a slightly heavier track, yet still kept comfortably close (if that makes sense); perhaps too comfortable. The expected soloing from any of those aforementioned doesn't arrive until the second half, and still the percussive element of the song is regardless the focal point. Surprising to me now, this was certainly not a highlight.

Was tempted to round it up, but I must be honest...

True Rate: 3.5/5.0

Really, impressed with the balance (and unsurprisingly, the skill). FFO Animals As Leaders, obviously.