PENUMBRA DIFFUSE

Sensory Records is recieving a reputation of signing and releasing unique technical progressive metal bands and albums. Among this lineup ranks Zero Hour, Gordian Knot, Spiral Architect, and Circus Maximus. Canvas Solaris is yet another project on Sensory delivering innovative and technical progressive metal.

Canvas Solaris' latest album Penumbra Diffuse is an instrumental progressive metal album. The band showcases their aggressive style of technical playing with a lighter side of equally precise soft playing. Fans of Gordian Knot will appreciate this mix.

Nathan Sapp does a phoenomenal job on lead guitars and assorted synths. Sapp's guitar work is precise and clean. Two qualities that are very rare, but mix very well in metal guitarists. His playing involves spectacular sweeping techniques mixed with delicate acoustic and twelve string playing. Sapp's synth work is not that of virtuosity but of atmospheric sensitivity. Without the MicroMoog ambience, the album just wouldn't have the same character.

Ben Simpkins takes care of the bass lines while assisting with acoustic and twelve string guitars. Focusing on Simpkins' bass skills, it's safe to say that he has a unique groove, but sometimes looses importance amongst the guitars and drums. This is not an incredible progressive metal bass performance, but a solid and unique one with a good amount of subtle sweeps and solos that bring the music to a higher level.

The drummer Hunter Ginn is quite a busy percussionist. While not only laying down some great technical and spot on drum tracks, he also shows skills as a percussionist on multiple instruments like congas, glockenspiels, tambourines, and etc. The percussion tracks are really what make a lot of the softer matierial sound unique.

The last track Luminescence is an excellent twelve minute track that showcases most of what this band has to offer. The track involves solid rythymn playing, technical precision, tonal variation, along with an assorted of different guitars and percussive instruments. The track is also the harmonic peak for the band. Throughout the album, the band focus more on technical skill rather than putting togethor some excellent tonal harmonies. Luminescence is an example of the band's ability not only to put togethor a technical masterpiece, but a harmonic masterpiece as well.

It's definately a four star effort. It's not quite perfect and I hope that there is much for to come from this band, but if this album is any indication of the future, it will be a bright one for these three musicians.