ENERGETIC DISASSEMBLY

Prog metal is overrated for what it really isn't. Today you see handfuls of kids praising Dream Theater, and maybe Opeth. Sure, these bands have some good stuff. But they are not, and I repeat they are NOT, the only Prog metal bands! Hear this: last year, when I was riding my bus, some chick listened to what I had; I was listening to Mayday In Kiev from another Watchtower album. When the vocals came, she said these exact words: "These guys ripped off Dream Theater". I was shocked, and pissed off. No comment.

People, progressive metal is composed of bands such as Cynic, Atheist, (early) Death and Pestilence, Voivod, Deathspell Omega, Ulver and the list goes on. One of the first and best ever, being Watchtower. This album is recognizable for the face ripping thrash riffs that it has. This is thrash metal, with progressive influence. Lots of it, I might add. I find that, this album, is much underrated compared to its second massive opus. I prefer this one, although the other one is like Rush, but heavier, and it has Ron Jarzombek, so it's awesome. But this one, having a less impressive quality, and a less impressive guitarist, is still better to my ears. The guitar tone sounds like a striking force ready to attack, but more like a deadly virus, than an army of samurais. Some parts are clearly a reminder of Rush's 80's classic 'Moving Pictures', and of the song 'YYZ'. It's the fast complexity it one riff that I really like, it's pretty much one of the first albums to express this. The two first tracks are fast, heavy and so complex that, you're not really sure of what's really going on in your head while this is playing. The bass is crazy, plus there's an insane bass solo in 'Asylum', it kicks my ass. But it gets really better, the third track 'Tyrants In Distress', it's the most metal song in the whole album, (along-side with 'Violent Change') the intro is killer, and Jason McMaster's voice is so good, it makes the thrash ooze out of the music. It is all composed in a very way and the riffs are really cool. 'Violent Change', 'Energetic Disassembly' and 'Argonne Forest' are of the same vein, fast, hard hitting. But the riffs aren't as complex. 'Energetic Disassembly' is epic. The two last songs are the weirdest, I don't really like Social Fears' much, but the intro is cool. But the beginning intro off 'Cimmerian Shadows' is sweet. There's nothing really to say about this album, it's very good, no, better: it's amazing. But it lacks of progness and originality. But the overall is sick. Great album nonetheless, a must have.