AMPLIFIER

This album is slightly reminiscent of the more recent output of porcupine tree; walking that thin line between prog metal and heavy prog, with the majority of the songs clocking in a six minutes or more, and each track displaying a decent level of internal variation. That is to say, this band is unafraid to interweave heavier guitar-led passages that hit with a doom-laden crunch, with passages of lighter melodies. The singer even sounds a little like Steven Wilson, backed up by suitably talented musicians.

That said, judging between songs, there seems to be a lack of that much diversity; there is little to mark the identity of one song from another. Forgivable, perhaps, in a concept album such as this, but the lack of any standout tracks leaves one feeling that listening to this album (which sprawls out over 2 discs lasting 2 hours) is a somewhat forgettable experience.

There is very little to criticise this album for. Each track is more than competently played, and progressive, but, after a handful of listens, I can't help but be left with the rather unsettling thought that this was the aim the musicians had in mind: to make an album with which nothing was wrong, rather than to take risks to create an album that was right.

Sadly, then, I feel that this is somewhat prog-by-numbers. A talented band, which, ultimately, leaves me cold and unenthused.

1.5/5, rounded up to 2