HEAVY LANGUAGE (BLACK SPARKLE)

Heavy Language (Black Sparkle) is a debut release from the Brighton-based band Diagonal which I managed to come across on Spotify while searching for the band's self-titled studio album. Unfortunately the studio album was not there, but it definitely didn't stop me from getting just the right dosage of Diagonal!

This short release consists of two non-album composition, which together clock at a total of less than 7 minutes worth of material. It is quite surprising that the band managed to keep things relatively short here since this is really not the case with their full-length release, but I'll talk more about that in my next review. Heavy Language and Milankovitch Cycles depict completely opposite sides of the band's repertoire which is something that Diagonal prefers to mix together into all of their lengthier pieces.

Heavy Language is all about the crazy heavy rock arrangements which come out of nowhere and just gets things off to an excellent start. I will go as far as to say that this is actually my favorite track out of all the material that the band has released up until now. The arrangements are highly influenced by Jazz Rock/Fusion, even though there is a definite leaning towards Heavy Prog approach. Milankovitch Cycles, on the other hand, is all about the atmosphere! This is a very smooth piece that does tease of the things that Diagonal would display on their full length release but at a much shorter time span.

Overall, this is a great instrumental introduction to Diagonal that may not be entirely representable of the things to come, but I honestly wouldn't want it any other way!

***** star songs: Heavy Language (3:13)

**** star songs: Milankovitch Cycles (3:31)