THYESTES

"Thyestes", the second EP and what many believe to be the last release from this intelligent Finnish avant-metal band, is by far one of the craziest yet brilliant pieces of short music that I have had the pleasure of listening to.

As I write this review right now, I can say with no remorse that this is by a million miles the finest EP that I have heard. So by now you are probably realizing that I find this to be a brilliant piece of music, which is very true. The reason that this EP is ranked so highly in my book is the fact that it is a frenzied operatic metal experience, but is still incredibly thought-out and carefully planned which makes for a stellar combination of intriguing hardcore metal music.

The first track, "Seulement Pour les Alienes" opens up with an almost spacey feel to it, until the ripping guitars and smashing keyboards blaze through the bulk of the song, which ends in high style with a spectacular display operatic skill. "Ishi" is hailed by many, myself included, as being their best song. The reasons? It is just simply the most intricate piece of metal I have heard, very delicately constructed yet powerful beyond belief. The same style keyboards and guitars tear open the song, but instead of the opera styled vocals, a hard-edged power chorus is featured. The singing just might be what gives this song its power! "Meisekiyume", the final track, is sometimes overshadowed by the brilliance of "Ishi", but this is a very strong work as well. The amazing intro gives way to the same swirling effect that started out the two previous songs, but then a growling vocal mixed with an angelic background style is thrown in and the song starts to get really crazy. Towards the ending of the song (about a minute remaining, estimated) the sheer power of the drumming can finally be heard over the thrash of the guitars for the first time in the album, and it sounds like no other metal drumming has before. A great way to close an excellent EP.

I really hope that this will not be Aberrant Vascular's, because judging by the improvement from their first EP (which is nothing to scoff at, either) to this most recent work, which is far and away the best EP I have heard, they show such incredible promise for a smashing full-length album debut.

I give it 4 stars, only taking a star off because of the lack of time. If this was a full album, with songs like these 3, there would be no doubt of a 5 star rating. Brilliant and complex avant-metal, highly recommended for anybody, especially for fans of Sleepytime Gorilla Museum and such.

One thing people should know is that this and their first EP are both available for free download from the band's website, and this is supported by the band themselves so it is perfectly legal. Do not miss out!