ENTROPY

I must feel that I have an obligation to review releases by lesser-known progressive metal bands. As is the case with ALL TOO HUMAN. I was interested in having a listen to Entropy, their second album, when I heard that key-maestro Derek Sherinian was a guest musician on this album. Although he makes very few appearences on the album, when he does break lose (like on the instrumental opening section of the title track), he brings that Falling into Infinity/PLANET X vibe to a table that is already made up of Awake-era DREAM THEATER (without the keys), early QUEENSRYCHE, and FATES WARNING.

Don DuZan has a very strong voice, an almost exact carbon-copy of John Arch and Geoff Tate. He tears apart songs like the title track, the biting ''E-Killer'', and the epic ''Haunted''. His shrieks on ''The Jester'' aren't amateurish either.

Clint Wilson is a gifted guitarist, playing like a less flashy Petrucci, showing his full potential on ''Arrythmia'', and his softer side on ''White Stones'' Although at times, he emulates Petrucci a bit too much.

Maurice Taylor is chock full of original basslines, especially during ''The Jester'' and the last minute of ''Arrythmia''. He is truly an underrated bassist, showing years of experience.

To add to the rhythm section is the energetic drumming of Chris Lucci. He shows great variety in his playing, from double-pedal (''Entropy''), to the simpler rhythms with extra clashes and bangs (''The Jester''), to just plain crazy, (opening of ''Arrythmia'').

All in all, a fairly good independent release from ALL TOO HUMAN (the production is nothing to sneeze at, at all). Despite the fact that Derek Sherinian is on this record, it is fairly average and reeks of DT, but is sadly ignored. If you can track it down, it is a good item to add to the collection.