CODA

Chilean technical prog-metal ensemble Octopus has done it again with the spectacular (albeit too brief) "Coda" release. This mini-CD lasts less than 24 minutes and is wrapped in a beautiful digi-pack whose credits include a massive transcription of all four pieces' scores. "Coda" is a powerful exhibition of the pushy, explosive metallic force that Octopus incarnates with such musical cleverness. The shrapnel pulsations that set the pace of 'Slussen' announce the complex, heavy storm that is already taking place. The machinery constructed by the riffs and the rhythm duo state the perfect frame for the impressive guitar leads. A parallel tendency is pursued by 'Zeitgeist', albeit with a frontally somber vibe, a factor that can be clearly noticed right from the starting point. The introduction of grunting screams and samplers of philosophers discussing the epistemological problems of religion expand the rebellious note that the music alone seems to cry out. 'VI - I - VII' bears a less frantic outburst, compensated by a denser sonic elaboration. This is definitely the most versatile track in the album, including momentary space-rock elements for good effect (if only the Octopus guys had arranged a more extended space for them). The motif that gets started at the 3'30"-mark streams into a more agile section, which eventually recreates yet another thrash-influenced prog-metal jam and develops it into the conclusive climax. The album's last 5 172 minutes are occupied by the incredibly pyrotechnical 'Momentum Kriget' - this is a robust exercise on sinister prog-metal seasoned with a few jazz-rock-friendly passages and occasional Crimsonian guitar leads. The mechanically driven riff that repeats itself all the way through the long fade-out effectively carries on the wild adrenaline displayed in both this particular track and the whole album. This is a great way to end such a great mini-CD as "Coda". If only this effortt had been longer... Anyway, Octopus still rules.