A SCEPTIC'S UNIVERSE

This ugly duckling of an album is often labeled technicality for technicality's sake. This is certainly highly technical speed/jazz-influenced metal, at first listen chaotic and indistinguishable, with all instruments seemingly playing in parallel (skeptic) universes. But at the same time is not the most extreme example of tech metal I've heard (for inhumanely fast but pointless mess check the Behold... the Arctopus). While playing unconventionally, they still try to contain themselves within a proper song, lyrical and vocal format, with breathing spaces and classical soloing (the very upfront bass is a standout). At the tenth listen some of this even becomes kind of catchy. This album seems to enjoy a love/hate relationship among prog fans, but just to give a perspective - in Russia, with its very skeptical attitude towards prog metal - just read the reviews - this enjoys nearly universal (not skeptic!) praise.