THE ATOMIZED DREAM

Another departure, or should I say progression, for this tight quintet as they continue exploring their world of internal metal. In fact at this stage in their evolution, Canvas Solaris aren't necessarily what you'd call a heavy metal band to the extent that they are completely liberated from it, the crisp guitar assaults and dual dynamite of Chris Rushing and Nathan Sapp an equal but not domineering ingredient aside Donnie Smith's Euro-freak synths. The result is something refined and balanced, a nu metal alchemy with some healthy minimalist and Postrock influences. Whether this sound is embraced or not is to be seen. One thing is sure; this band is not out to please anyone but themselves. And would we have it any other way?

Don't be scared off by the spelunking of 'The Binural Beat', they snap out of it soon enough on 'Reflections Carried to Mirror' where the heat is turned up a bit with chiming twelve-strung choruses a la Satch's 'Engines of Creation' period. The awkward rhythmatics of 'Chromatic Dust' are unfortunate but redeemed by the killer and fusiony 'Patterns Spiral Into Storm' and 'Heat Distortion Manifest', smoke and mirrors of 'Solar Droid' and very prog 'The Unknowable and Defeating Glow' at 10 minutes. For fans of metal that doesn't discriminate, and of artists as Sleep Terror, The F*cking Champs and Counter-World Experience.