THE QUIET BEFORE THE STORM

For those not satisfied when a band remains stylistically stagnant on a given album, this may well prove rewarding. It touches on nearly every major progressive rock style, while making jazz it's "home base." The heavy guitars sound as though they have a cold; that may be an aesthetic choice on the part of the artist, but it doesn't appeal to me, as I prefer more brightness to the tone.

"The Quiet Before the Storm" Following an ominous introduction, the quiet truly takes hold, with gentle guitar and soft percussion. As it gains momentum, it develops a post rock wash. From there, it's jazz music with an especially inspired bass performance, while lead guitar and a warbling electric take turns. None of this more elegant playing keeps Athelstone from flexing their cacophonic muscle, however, including a ringing mandolin in the more fluid passages.

"Jaaz" Jazz solo guitar opens the shortest of the three tracks. One could be fooled into thinking Astrud Gilberto was guesting here. I mean, the music here is just velvety smooth and fuses Bossa Nova with more contemporary jazz chord progressions- even though that unruly ailing guitar makes a brief interruption.

"Coming Full Circle" Infusing electronic elements into the blend of heavy jazz fusion they've already explores, this piece fortunately maintains the stellar bass performance one should come to expect by this point. The piece also introduces Mellotron and a vocal performance not unlike the quieter moments of Pink Floyd's "The Great Gig in the Sky." Rounding out their truly eclectic nature, they take a more symphonic approach while spicing it up with pummeling guitars.