PHANTOMS FILL THE SKIES

On their MySpace site they describe their music as "Post / Math Rock with a splash of melodic honesty with maybe a hint of pretense add to taste". Their influences are DON CABALLERO,THE MARS VOLTA, RADIOHEAD, EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY, MOGWAI, TOOL and many others, but I was pleased to see them list RUSH, PINK FLOYD and KING CRIMSON as well. The music is often intense, intricate, explosive, melodic and emotional. I like it !

"Ten Car Pileup" opens with the heaviest section on the album and then it settles with vocals a minute in. This contrast continue. Love the intricate guitar on the mellower passages.The vocalist reminds me a little of the singer for SAGA. Great way to start the record. "Abu Ehraib (Hotel America)" opens with a sample of someone speaking before a killer soundscape comes ripping in. It settles quickly as vocals come follow. Check out the drumming before 2 minutes. Intense ! Contrasts continue. "Tsunami" is even better than the first two songs ! "Wave going out wave coming in and I am breathing out if only I could breath in." This is the opening line that is repeated. Great lyrics in this one. Post Rock styled guitar comes and goes. Nice bass 2 minutes in as the song builds in intensity.The vocals become more passionte as well. Several f-bombs are dropped but it fits with the absolute emotion that is being delivered. It then calms down as waves can be heard rolling in to end it. Nice.

"Phantoms..." opens with drums and intricate guitar as the bass throbs. Vocals before 1 1/2 minutes. Love the guitar as it becomes Fripp- like. The tempo picks up before 3 minutes. It settles back 4 minutes in. The guitar and drums sound incredible. Vocals are back and it's heavier after 5 minutes. "...Fill the Skies" features more intricate guitar melodies and vocals. It turns heavy as contrasts continue. "Rebirth" has this relaxed intro as vocals join in. The chorus comes in after a minute. The most commercial song on here. "Galapagos" is a straight forward tune and probably my least favourite. "Libertine" has some complex guitar and drum work especially before 2 minutes.

"Tethers" is a return to form and one of my favs. A mid-paced tune that just seems to hit the spot if you know what I mean. Love the chorus too. Violin in this one as well. "In The Crash, We Die" opens with some cool percussion until the vocals take over. The tempo slows down in an interesting section. We get some intensity that comes and goes. "Eyes On Wings" is another fav of mine. Post Rock guitar before 2 minutes and the vocals get more passionate 3 minutes in. "Sleep, In Red" is the longest track at 9 minutes. Some atmosphere and darkness to start. Percussion followed by outbreaks of sound before it settles with vocals. Nice drumming 3 minutes in. A calm before 6 minutes but then it starts to build until it gets really intense as vocals return to end it.

For me this is worth 4 stars but I know these guys can do even better. A lot of potential and talent here.