TEMPORARY PSYCHOTIC STATE

"Temporary Psychotic State" is an EP release by international progressive metal act Subterranean Masquerade. The EP was released through The End Records in March 2004. It´s the band´s first official label release. Subterranean Masquerade was formed in 1997 by guitarist Tomer Pink. For this release he enlisted lead vocalist Paul Kuhr (Novembers Doom, These Are They), guitarist Jake DePolitte, bassist Jason William Walton (Agalloch, Celestiial, Sculptured), and drummer Tino LoSicco (Epoch of Unlight).

Stylistically the music is a rather unconventional type of progressive metal which defies a meaningful catagorization as it features elements from everything from acoustic folk, to rock´n´roll, to death growls and extreme metal elements, to psychadelic/progressive rock. It certainly is a very eclectic and unique sounding progressive metal style that doesn´t really sound like anything else on the scene.

The EP features 2 tracks and a full playing time of 17:21 minutes. It´s a fairly good introduction to the band´s unique music style. Both tracks are relatively slow building and goes through several changes without ever turning technically complex. The song structures are rather adventurous though. In addition to the "regular" instrumentation of guitars, bass, and drums, the music also features mellotron, keyboards/electronics, violin, female clean vocals, and male growling/clean vocals. It could have been a mess, but it all comes together in a very interesting sound. It´s all performed by very skilled musicians, who deliver their parts to perfection.

The only minor issue is the sound production. It´s generally a well produced album, but the heavy distorted parts sound a bit thin and lacks bottom. Other than that "Temporary Psychotic State" is a very intriguing and above all promising first release by Subterranean Masquerade. It´s not often I find myself picking my jaw up from the floor in amazement and simoultaniously ripping hair from my head in frustration because I can´t really explain what it is I´ve just heard, but I know for certain that it´s a unique and very exciting take on progressive metal and that a 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.