FEEL.MELT.RELEASE.ESCAPE.

Good, now that I have your attention let's begin. Anti-Depressive Delivery is a Norwegian band oozing with oldschool progressive sounds and techniques. Though they may have been slapped with the Extreme metal label and have songs with titles like the previously mentioned Penny Is A Slut Machine, there's still a lot of music here that should appeal to just about any prog head. They're a bit on the heavy side still, although they don't have the growl or scream vocals normally associated with the subgenre. Actually, they're more defined by a heavy use of mellotron and organs than anything else. If forced to choose a band to compare them too the easiest way would be to say, ''kind of like a heavy, jazzy Riverside but with a lighter tone''.

This debut from the band shows a lot of promise. Unfortunately they'd be dropped during the recording of their second album which would eventually be available for free download, and it would never be completely finished. What's strange about this is that the second album is actually a lot stronger than the first, and while Chain For Foods was an excellent step forwards for the band their life would be cut unfortunately short right then and there. Of course, getting back to this album, we have a mix of some very good prog material and some good rock material. Some of the tracks which will appeal more to the progheads are the ones that have the synths, hammonds and mellotrons right up front. Good examples of this are found mostly in the second half of the album starting with the unforgettably quirky opening of the title track, Feel. Melt. Release. Escape., which also features some of the album's best vocals in the haunting chorus. 0 is another excellent track, as well as is the self titled track The Anti-Depressive Delivery, which is actually more of a rocker with the proggy instruments pureed into the mix.

Of course, that's not to say that the first half of the album is forgettable. The opener of the album also provides a good mix as the band does so well, and actually seems to show where the band would be going on their next album. End Of Days is a strong track with a killer bassline and those ever present synths and melltrons that wash over the progger. Add in some metal guitars and surprisingly strong vocals and you have quite the first impression. Voyage Of No Brain Discovery is where the metal side of the band really starts to shine through with the driving drum beat, while Penny Is A Slut Machine provides some great instrumentation to back up it's odd title.

Of course, and as would be expected, the standout of the album has to be the 15-minute closing track Bones & Money. Opening with some gorgeous piano work for about two minutes the synths and vocals kick in for some very nice emotional work here. Hardly an extreme track, this shows the band at their best (although I would argue that Blood Is Blood from their next album would be their absolute pinnacle). This one keeps midpaced but does manage to grow darker and heavier over the course of the track. Some impressive keyboarding at the end as well.

All in all this makes for a very good record. I certainly wouldn't recommend it over their second album (which may never see the light of day), but it makes for a pleasant and rewarding listen. Recommended! 3 bones out of 5, good, but don't worry if you can't find it.

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