DWELLING IN THE OUT

First of all, this isn't a progressive album whichever way you look at it: all songs follow basic pop structures, and the actual music is melodic thrash riffery without the tiniest hint of creativity. The only reason this album has come to be regarded as "prog metal" is because of their sound: heavy, buzzing guitars, cheesy keyboard lines in the background, powerful, but slightly raspy and annoying vocals - it's all way too reminiscent of Dream Theater and Symphony X for the comparison to be ignored. However, the aforementioned bands, while sometimes also lacking in creativity, definitely know how to write an interesting composition. These guys don't. It's the same old power chord chugging, conventional harmonies and predictable vocal lines. A couple of songs from this album might be catchy enough to be played on the radio ( "Darkest Day" , for example), but that's all it has to offer. It's not surprising that ex- Digital Ruin members are now playing in a self-described nu-metal band.