BUSHWHACK

The music presented on this debut album is quite dark and atmospheric, with influences from prog metal, thrash as well as alternative rock and metal. The guitar is a central instrument, more often than not with dark and gritty riff patterns mixed with lighter melodic acoustic licks in the different segments of a tune. Guitar solos and melodic distorted guitar patterns are relatively plentiful too; all of them atmospheric though. Not a shred segment in sight. Floating synths is another mainstay here, mostly floating above the guitar licks and riffs adding melody, stature and texture to the tunes.

The compositions experiment with contrasts and sudden changes, and generally succeed with that. Quite a few of the tunes comes across as too long though, and some changes may be to sudden and dramatic, with songs lacking some cohesion as a result. Still, a talented band with a promising debut album.