MONUMENT

I'm writing this review because i feel a great injustice was being done to any Progressive music fan who navigated to the Scale the Summit page for some advice on the quality of the boys from Houston's music. I first discovered this band on their myspace page (myspace.com/scalethesummit) and found myself listening to the three preview tracks so often that i realised that i had hit on something big as a Progressive Rock and Prog metal fan.

I bought the album at once, and long story short this highly talented quartet have quickly moved their way up the ranks to among my favourite artists.

Onto Monument.

The first thing that hits you is Shaping the Clouds, an epic technical metal journey that really creates a glorious mood. Pat Skeffington's drumming is stellar - The guitarists work around each other like the best of them, and the bass is just a part of the band as much as Chris Squire was a part of Yes's music. The album moves on and on the third track we come across Crossing the Ocean. Instead of the uproar of the first two tracks, CtO starts with a Canvas Solaris inspired jazz melody which ripples across your ears, leading you slowly into the rousing heavy guitar entry. i don't have time right now to go through every song, but other highlights of the album include Rode in on Horseback, Penguins in flight and especially the twin brother of Shaping the Clouds, Holding Thunder.

I read the 5 star/1 star warning when i selected my Essential 5 star rating and realised that yes, this album does deserve those 5 stars.

-It's their debut album (which doesn't really matter, given the quality of the album none the less, it just makes it even more impressive)

-The only reason i hesitated with the rating was because of certain production values of the album - some of it seems a little.. uneven, but that's not because of the skills of the musicians or the songs themselves, just the producer.

-It's truly something to behold as a full album, not just a series of great songs.

-The musicians show of their chops as instrumentalists without spoiling the song - it seems like they're less focused on solos than creating an overall mood to the songs.

So for fans of instrumental technical progressive metal or Progressive Metal in general, then check Scale the Summit's Monument out.

you won't regret it, and if you have any doubts then head over to their myspace (written earlier) and see for yourself. the tracks offered are currently Holding Thunder, Crossing the Ocean, Wolves and Shaping the Clouds.

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