THE GRAND DESIGN

4.5 stars. Hey they're back ! It's been seven years since the debut and they sound better than ever. DAY SIX are a Prog-Metal band out of The Netherlands and I was very impressed with their debut and reviewed it 4 1/2 years ago on here.This is a concept album and I really like the way they use the synths to create atmosphere.They can get really heavy at times but they mix it up well. Lots of samples too. I enjoy the singer's voice a lot.Yes this all adds up to a must-have for Prog-Metal fans.

"Massive Glacial Wall" opens with atmosphere before the music kicks in quickly and hard. Synths are howling in the background before a calm settles in with reserved vocals. Not for long though.The contrasts do continue though. I like the samples of people speaking that come and go. Great track.Samples,strings and synths end it. "Lost Identity" opens with dark but laid back guitar as reserved vocals join in. I love when it kicks in heavily. Synths too. Again contrasts continue between the heavy and atmospheric. Another killer tune. I like the laid back guitar solo before 3 1/2 minutes.Sax after 6 minutes followed by some nice bass. It calms right down a minute later as relaxed guitar joins in.

"Castel Gandolfo" has these heavy outbursts that come and go to start until they stay with synths.Vocals before a minute. Listen to the synths howling before 2 minutes. It settles before 3 1/2 minutes and it's dark. It picks back up around 5 minutes then the vocals return. "Inside" has these laid back guitar melodies in a dark atmosphere. It's slowly building. Here we go ! That happens at 3 minutes and vocals follow. Killer sound after 5 minutes. A calm with vocals 6 minutes in then it kicks back in at 9 1/2 minutes and even harder at 13 1/2 minutes and again to end it. What a track !

"Fergus Falls" opens with a beat and organ. Reserved vocals replace the organ. It turns heavy before 1 1/2 minutes.This is great ! It settles back again but contrasts continue. Love those heavy sections. "A Soul's Documentary" is almost ballad-like but it's better after 1 1/2 minutes because of the drumming. "Age Of Technology" has a heavy intro with organ. It settles back with vocals 1 1/2 minutes in but the heaviness returns. Nice guitar after 3 minutes. Excellent sound 4 1/2 minutes in.Vocals are back around 6 minutes. "7th Sign" has such a great intro with those haunting synths and dark atmosphere. It kicks in at 1 1/2 minutes. A nice heavy soundscape after 4 1/2 minutes. Samples too. Synths sweep in at 6 minutes as it settles again.Great tune. "In The End..." has some incredible atmosphere then the guitar joins in. The atmosphere is beautiful as sounds echo.

An amazing album from beginning to end. Every Metal fan needs to hear this one.