SKEPTICS EYE

From Track One, you know these Guy's mean business. This is Progressive Metal at the highest level. Thundering Bass and Drums , Raunchy and Melodic Keyboards and Grinding yet Tasteful Guitar work all Complementing the Colour driven and Solid Vocal Prowess of Scott Huffman.

"Through Crimson Shores" lays it squarely on the line and sets the mood of 'Skeptics Eye' from the crushing first few bars the scene is set. This 1st song weaves and winds its way through a 7/8 progression before hitting you with the main vocal through the song and setting the mood and pace of the CD for Seven minutes plus they seem to somehow maintain a strong theme through several passages, time changes and strong vocal turns .The 2/4 end passage almost begs a merge into the title track of the cd, "Skeptics Eye" (Kill The Weak ) with its single crunching Guitar intro into a solid double time passage which then blends into the main song. Mr Huffman's vocals are strong here and almost demands you to listen to His story of "Skeptics Eye" Deliver Yourself, Come Join this Emptiness....The Skeptic's Eye". This is a powerful track with lots of meaning.4/4 time blending powerfully into the first half time progression and back again through the cycle and repeating, abruptly charging into a driving and bone crunching bridge pattern and guitar/ keyboard playoff under a strong bass and drum driven passage which blends perfectly back to the chorus, "Kill The Weak Within" He sings as the band grinds your bones to the shattering climax . The six minutes thirteen seconds leaves you begging for more, before again your hit with track 3 "Against The Wish", which in many ways could be their 'Single' release, off this EP cd . Soaring vocals leading into a strong 4/4 time passage with heavy accents and high pitched guitar stabs against a solid backdrop of bass and keyboards, leading into more half time and strong gut crunching riffs. Then.. He ( Mr Kilkenney ) hits you with the double kick drum and the band accent through the next passage, guitar answering counter rhythms and vocals warning you desperately of what follows. "Happy Now....World Is Upside Down In Pain" He sings, as more strong lyrics lead into another 4/4/, 2/4 passage which leads you into the first subtle but still flashy guitar solo from Mr Buczko which is then answered equally by Keyboardist Mr Bethishou (Shreddy). This duelling continues for some one and half to two minutes before being interrupted again by some very flashy drumming. He's ( Mr Kilkenney ) is telling you to slow down, giving the band the space to move to the next bridge pattern which is quite laid back and here Mr Huffman provides further proof of his vocal prowess with light and shade building to more accented crunch riffs and here. Again, Mr Buczko counter plays the band back in to a solid 4/4 feel, again Mr Huffman's voice takes you on a ride of high's and low's, harmonies blending and mixing well with his solid and soaring patterns, probably the most adventurous yet, this guy tells the story so well, you go back and listen again and again. Just when you think the song's done. .We're back at the beginning main riffs of the song leading you to the final double chorus and the very long final note sung by Mr Huffman.."Against The Wish". But it just gets better. Track Four "Return To Dust" my personal favourite song on the EP is the longest of the songs being ten minutes 11 seconds. The beautiful 6 time guitar intro by Mr Buczko sets the mood well and weaves it's way into the half time first passage of this Epic song. The thundering bass notes of Mr Sullivan are calling you to "LISTEN"! to what Mr Huffman is telling you, lulling you into a false secure place....Then the "sirens" sound, the moods changed, but briefly as we go back to our safe place, listening intently to the story we're being told "The Common Enemy, Is What We Share! Who'll Stand Behind Me" as the band falls back into a solid groove, followed by a softer passage Mr Huffman is asking you ,who you really are in this world. "Who'll Help The Enemy's Return To Dust". Leading into a jazzy accented passage followed on with more crunch chords and souring piano work into Mr Sullivan's first but very significant Bass solo passage, connecting beautifully with the following half time passage, which again winds and weaves into an unusual 3/4 passage " Mountains Of Wishes And Promises".. sings Mr Huffman taking you into the eloquently played and longest guitar solo of Mr Buczko (could be longer) and we're back. Deep, crunching riffs taking you into another well played Keyboard solo, again the longest, blending well to the almost sudden stop and taking you on another time journey and another vocal story."Gather Round People" He sings, as he tells you more of His story. Suddenly Mr Sullivan's second solo and most important connection point of this song breaks in racing up and down the bass neck calling the other members to join in...and they do without question driving you into a 4/4 progression, drums playing, double kick pounding, all follow almost frantically as Mr Huffman warns us of the consequences and end results of this story.."It's Only To Dust" he sings and this leads us back to the jazzy passage from earlier then...the "sirens" sound again. We're back at the opening passage of my favourite song by the way . Make sure you listen to Mr Huffman's last vocal lines..This is the whole song. Brilliant. Track 5 "Closing The Chapter" is a Bonus track from a previous era of "Mindwarp Chamber". This song will be re-recorded. Once again a very well crafted and played track, with plenty of light and shade, but I will reserve my complete review of this track when I hear final mix on the new complete "Mindwarp Chamber" full cd releasing soon.

Review By Chris. NZ Drummer and fan

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