DELUGE

This is not a bad little album- a shame it is so brief, especially when several musical ideas are left unexplored, and the one that is extended to its full potential far overstays its welcome. That said, there's a couple of tracks on this album that are absolutely amazing. The whole thing is worth checking out, but be warned that it left me shaking my fist in frustration at times.

"Evocation" The first track is an orchestral and grand beginning that builds into something sinister.

"Hut Hut Hut" I always reach for the volume knob on a post-metal album if the first track was something quiet or soothing, because I am almost sure the second track will be an immediate blast of distorted guitars and heavy drumming. Such is it here. Yet the riffs for the most part are intelligent and discernable, however, and there's a good demarcation among the individual instruments even as they strive to work together. It's aggressive, but not mush. There's a light keyboard solo toward the end that provides a gracious contrast over the snarling guitars, like a frightened fairy flying over a horde of barking wolves.

"PGD" Bass opens this piece, with an occasional modulated organ and distant guitar providing some discord. Graceful piano follows the barrage of guitars and welcomes them back.

"Is That You Gary?" Decidedly thick and heavy with some thrash elements, this grunting piece juxtaposes silence with some creative sounds, both from electric guitars and electronic sources.

"Moon 02" This is a nasty little spider of a track- biting guitars and venomous organ all weaving a web of delicious metal, all topped off with a solid drum solo- one of the best pieces of music I've heard in the genre, even if a bit immature.

"Priapus" How about a complete change of pace? This is a bass-driven foray into jazz territory with lovely guitar and keyboard; I would've preferred that they had expanded upon this piece (especially given the length of the album).

"Priapism" This piece is quite similar to Spock's Beard exploring metal (as they occasionally did). It has an element of quirkiness with respect to its electronic tones, yet has respectable riffs and plenty of focused variety.

"Parasitic Twin" Softer music in the vein of slow Tool makes up the bulk of this track, but there are some eruptions of metal from time to time. The electric piano provides a lovely contrast, at times lending this piece a more psychedelic flavor, and the synthesizer work is another treat. The composition itself is rather dragged out, though. The denouement involves soft guitar and stark piano.