KEPLER

What I find lacking in many bands of the post-metal genre is the use of instrumental sounds beyond guitars and drums. Look to Windward use synthesizers as tasteful and subtle accents to compositions both brutal and sensitive. This is not your grandaddy's post-metal.

"Dwell" From those first notes to the bursting forth of Enchant-like riffs and velvety feminine vocals, I was impressed. It runs likes a pounding, metal version of The Decemberists ending in a satisfying major-seventh chord and violin interlude. The structure moves in ways both pleasing and unnerving.

"Mantle" For those who enjoy troll singing, this will be good, but I much prefer the elven refrain that rebuts it- beautiful, sailing like a vessel over stormy oceans.

"Glint" Cyclically energetic, "Glint" pummels itself into brass notes and silly barking. It's okay- the dog stops to let the owner drive the listener into hypnosis, where the slower tempo guitar and brass bear down.

"Kepler" For those awaiting a punchier breed of metal, there's the title track. The vocal honey holds it smoothly together. With quieter passages reminiscent of dark Echolyn and female vocals setting them apart, this moves into psychedelic metal territory worthy of the minutes it uses.