SPATTERLIGHT

A guitarist and a drummer from USA combine straight-forward rock riffs with matching vocals, while retaining some symphonic touches by accompanying keyboard-background and piano melodies. Mellow instrumental parts are a welcome contrast, especially since the post-rock guitar sound of verses and chorus is not the most appealing to me. A few really progressive pace changes can be found, but the record mostly remains mainstream prog rock. 'Parting the Veil' and 'Spatterlight' and 'By your Silence' and 'Superimposition' are shorter hit-directed tunes where I fall for the initial track with its IQ-like monotonous riffs. 'Death Embraces' is longer and dreamier, mostly due to a haunting guitar sling and some oriental themes in the middle. Overall, the album is easily digestible and quite catchy, but still interestingly composed and dynamic enough to invite repeated listenings.