POMEGRANATE TIGER

I don't listen to much metal anymore nor do I listen to much prog metal, but this is one helluva a progressive metal album and a very impressive debut from this Canadian group. The level of musicianship is outstanding and the complexity of the arrangements is impressive as well. The guitar work really stands out on this album, but the drums and bass are really excellent to boot (although they work more to frame the guitar work and drive the songs than trying to compete for attention with the guitars). There is plenty of chugging, pounding and grinding riffage in this music as well as totally gonzo guitar pyrotechnics and acrobatics. The technical quality of the guitar work is superb, yet maintains a melodic edge throughout the shredding and riffing that really stops the music from feeling mechanical. Lots of changes to rhythms, tempos, time signatures and such that gives it that progressive feel and keeps it quite interesting. Nothing is dragged out and the pacing of the music is great. There is a bit of piano and/or synth work added in to break things up a bit, but it is few and far between and for the most part this is intense, masterful prog metal. Pomegranate Tiger is reminiscent of stuff like Chimp Spanner, Animals As Leaders, Scale the Summit with touches of Dream Theater.

This might not be 5 stars for some listeners because the metal can get pretty intense on this, but I am on my third play through in the last 24 hours and thoroughly enjoying it from start to finish so it is a 5 star release to me.