PROJECT 13-5

The album contains 18 short tracks but "Protect Me" is the kind of album where all tracks seque into each other to form one long track. At least that's the feeling I get when I listen to the album. It's actually to a point where I don't notice when one tracks ends and another begins. Project 13-5 play a very Meshuggah influenced technical/ progressive metal style and I'd also mention the "Sol Niger Within (1997)" album by Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects as an influence. That means odd-metered angular riffs played with great technical skill, technical precision drumming and an otherworldly atmosphere. The vocals are pretty interesting as they are predominantly raw whispers with the volume turned up to make them sound like sung vocals. They sound kind of creepy and they took some getting used to, but after a while I've begun to really appreciate the vocal style. There are a few aggressive shouts and clean vocals on the album too, but they are very few.

The production is well sounding. I like the minimalistic approach.

While the album is short enough to be called an EP, "Protect Me" is yet another proof that quality is always more important than quantity. It's a very entertaining release and fans of the style should definitely check this album out. I wouldn't call it groundbreaking or anything like that but it's still an excellent release deserving a 3.5 - 4 star rating.