FRONTAL

"Frontal" is based on the true story of Phineas Gage, the construction worker who, against all odds, survived an accident which caused an iron rod to be driven completely through his head, destroying much of his left "frontal" lobe, leaving him forever physically and mentally changed. In fact is a concept album composed during the pandemic about how a stable life can be so vulnerable to unforeseen events that can alter us so deep into our core that we become unrecognizable by those we love. There are moments of pain, moments of despair, moments of confusion and anger and reminiscence. These very real emotions helped this band create a canvas portraying human fragility as well as human triumph. They accomplished that musically by relying on rhythmic illusions and polyrhythms juxtaposed with somber melodies, a melting pot of crunching synths, soaring vocals, complex drumming, and a never ending stream of riff carnage that fuses jazz virtuosity with prog metal tension. The Dream Theater and Haken progressive metal inspirations are sharply recognizable but customized and evolved to achieve their bright musical essence. The result is a great album truly enjoyable from the beginning to the end passing through great guitar riffs with excellent solos (the Alain Ibrahim solo in the track "Faceless Man" deserve a standing ovation) , helped by brilliant keyboard of Mahmoud Yassin, bright vocal refrains ( Omar el Hage's voice reminds me of Daniel Gildenlow) , solid drums ( drummer Sayed Gereige is always incisive in the underscores of moments with more pathos resumable in the final track "Perpetuity") and eclectic bass riffs ( the bass player Anthony Atwe in "A Place I Go To Hide" shows off his excellent technique) Best Tracks : Madness unforeseen; Faceless Man ; A place to go to hide; Crowbar Case....in fact all the album.... A STAR IS BORN 9/10