THE FOURTH SEASON

All I can say about this album, The Fourth Season, is 'Wow!' The first time I listened to it, I was speeding down a highway, and let me tell you, what perfect music for such an event. I see the music on this album as an accompaniment to action scenes in an epic movie or video game. But of course, this music surely can stand on its own, as well as every member of this band.

Vanishing Point, a progressive metal band hailing from Australia, has been making music together for over a decade. And with their fourth album release, it is quite apparent. Polyrhythmic beats and lots of double bass from the drummer, driving bass, great guitar riffs, great guitar solos, melodic keyboard passages, and a vocalist who isn't afraid to put himself out there, this album provides the entire package of what progressive metal is.

The production of this album is superb. Everything is mixed well, and the listener can hear all parts, especially the vocals. Speaking of the vocals, his voice is very melodic and the background vocals are written and executed very well. Instrumentally, this band plays together very well, and all members can easily stand on their own as great musicians. Their music is intelligently written. The forms of their songs make sense, and their melodies are well written. The only gripe I have is that I can predict their harmonic progression and feel where the music is going before it gets there.

Hopefully this album will give the band more attention as progressive metal artists. This could be the breakthrough they need.