PASSING THROUGH THE WALL

The trio of guitarist Mike Eber, drummer Jeff Eber, and bassist Johnny DeBlase started in 2006 as a 'normal' jazz group before commencing their own very different fusion journey. They brought in loads of influences from other musical styles such as progressive (King Crimson being an obvious band that they have been paying attention to) and technical metal as well as moving more into improvisational to create something that is fusion in it's very truest sense, and also truly progressive. There are also weird time signatures, and drum rhythms and patterns that point towards Meshuggah as another influence: showing yet again that although these guys are jazz, they are very much pushing the boundaries of both it and progressive rock.

This is their third album, and I am going to have to dig out the other two as well, as these guys can play. I mean, they can really play. I don't think that they would know what to do with a straight 4/4 time signature and verse/chorus number if it hit them over the head with a baseball bat. Although Mike is often the lead 'voice' that is only to be expected, but his cousin Jeff isn't afraid to try to dominate proceedings, and the same goes for Johnny as well. But, somehow all three of them manage to keep their own creative reins in check just enough so that we get an incredibly complex montage of music as opposed to everyone powering in over the top. There are some amazing fusion albums coming out at present, but this is one of those vying to be at the very top of the heap. It is challenging at times, but incredibly welcoming at others, and if you want your music to be complicated and moving in different directions yet somehow always making sense then this is for you. www.cuneiformrecords.com

I don't know how these guys did it, but they've essentially made a progressive garage rock album with the speed, technicality, and fury of tech death, and the mechanical edge of industrial rock. And on top of that, this is simply a masterpiece. "Entanglement" is a pertinent example: a driving, guitar-esque bass sets the scene for an exploratory guitar, with perfect drum backing, all played in the style of math. Ever heavy and energetic, and the sounds here do feel like metal - not in the musical sense, but in the sense that the music brings to mind cold steel. Everyone plays excellently, making a wall of solid sound that is at once entertaining and experimental. This doesn't pass through walls, but smashes through them. A spectacular record, highly recommended to math and tech death fans more than avantheads, but still recommended all around.