DEGREE ABSOLUTE

This is one of the best three piece bands I have ever heard in Metal.This is a technically flawless, melodic and complex album that offers up a nice variety of styles. I admit it took me a while to grasp and appreciate it, but man this is close to a five star record. I would say ZERO HOUR and FATES WARNING are the two bands that I was reminded of the most. By the way this is multi-instrumentalist Aaron Bell's baby. He had some difficulty getting the right musicians to play his compositions, but eventually was able to get former DEFYANCE band mate and drummer Doug Beary to join, as well as bass player Dave Lindeman a graduate of the Berklee College Of Music.

"Exist" opens with a crushing soundscape, an all out assault reminding me a lot of ZERO HOUR. Vocals come in before a minute, they are very good by the way, the tone reminds me a little of Ray Adler. I really like the calm passages that come and go. Check out the bass / guitar / drum section 3 1/2 minutes in. A beautiful atmospheric guitar solo 6 1/2 minutes in right to the end. Gorgeous. "Laughing Alone" opens with explosive riffs as vocals join in around a minute. He changes his vocal style to a lower register, almost speaking.This contrast in vocal styles continues. I love the sound when it settles after 3 1/2 minutes, it then becomes so uplifting as the guitar rises to great heights and goes on and on. "Questions" opens with heavy riffs and vocals. The guitar lights it up a minute in. The tempo picks up before 2 1/2 minutes. A punishing ending. "Confession" opens with bass and background synths. A nice change. Light drums, vocals and guitar join in this mellow soundscape. I like the atmosphere on this one. Some power 3 minutes in as the guitar makes some noise. Check out the guitar 4 minutes in, riffs follow. "Distance" is a cool instrumental that begins with percussion. Bass and tasteful guitar join in and then drums. I was reminded of GORDIAN KNOT with this one.

"Halfmanhalfbiscuit" haha. This one is experimental with different sounds. Brutal riffs a minute in. It settles back down before 2 minutes before getting heavy again. "Pi" has this crushing intro. It settles before a minute as this contrast continues. Nice. "Ask Nothing Of Me" sounds like a stampede when it begins. Sneering vocals come in quickly. Great sound when it calms down after 2 1/2 minutes with background synths. Guitar comes in riffing after 3 minutes. "Ergo Sum" is the 11 minute closing track (except for the hidden song). It opens with synths. Gentle guitar after 2 minutes. Some restrained power after 4 1/2 minutes with vocals arriving 2 minutes later. It kicks into a higher gear 8 1/2 minutes in as vocals return. Fantastic sound ! The hidden track is untitled and 6 1/2 minutes long. It begins with a dark, spacey atmosphere before heavy industrial sounds pulse. Back to that haunting atmosphere until the beast rises again 5 minutes in.

Fans of technical Metal need to check this album out.

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