CONSCIOUS

This is quite an early E.P. release from dredg which approaches black metal more that it approached progressive rock. It sounds nothing like what dredg would sound like later. I don't consider this a terrible album, but it's only relation to progressive rock is that they were attempting to provide a heavy sound that also had some progressive structure to it. The songs are kind of same-y with a lot of rap, growling vocals and not much else. The best track is "Juggernaut" which at least holds some hope of the great dredg sound that was to come later.

Like I said, this is not a bad album. The drums sound somewhat like toy drums almost, but the guitar hooks are great. It is to the album's benefit that it is an E.P. though, because by the time the last track plays, you are ready to say, "I've heard enough now" because there isn't much in the way of versatility here. But at least it is interesting to hear how this excellent band got started. Hard to believe that they would produce the amazing albums that would follow later.

Ok so this one is probably considered a collectors item, but don't expect any more value out of it than that. Fans will definitely appreciate it and so will most black metal fans. 2 stars.