BANSHEEFACE

I was another reviewer given the privilege of reviewing "Bansheeface" well ahead of time by Greg, and his own description of what is within does not do this album justice. After a neat opener with "Quantum Cardboard", we end up going through a good take on a Mars Volta-esque sound for a couple tracks, with calmer run-ups. But next thing we know, "Immaculation" ends up fusing in electronic sounds and effects, and as the record goes on we fall through a progified mix of noise, trip hop, more electronica, and a bit of out-and-out metal, as well as the Volta- esque riffs. The album ends on a note of acoustic guitar and noise sounding like something off of the masterful "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot". The singing goes from the usual metallic vocals on to something that at times feels like Gentle Giant or Haken. This is a savoury mix of genres I couldn't have ever expected, with each track done wonderfully. The best I could do to reproduce something sounding like this would be a mixtape that includes Volta, Haken, Portishead, Wilco, Nimh, and Riverside. Crossover indeed. Excellent, and will certainly prove a highlight of 2015 in prog.