AFTERGLOW

Modern Heavy Progressive is really picking up lately and has become a trend on its own in the movement; most bands tend to follow on a pre-defined path set out by the likes of (primarily) The Mars Volta and (secondly) Karnivool with intricate arrangements, syncopation, weird vocals and so on. I am glad to be finding out that Kindler don't.

The young trio set out in their debut EP "Afterglow" to convince us that they are making something of their own, professional and innovative at the same time. True, they declare to have been influenced by Karnivool and Mastodon but the influences don't necessary determine their sound. Here we have a mix of heavy progressive riffing (imagine Mastodon on the heavy rock side) and alternative rock/metal in the vein of the lyricism of Tool and Karnivool laid out over +30min in five "full" compositions. Dead spaces are not apparent, every minute is used up to produce melodic, catchy, yet heavy progressive rock music with emphasis on the inspired riffing including some interesting soloing passages. The influence from progresive metal is evident in the songs; even Pain of Salvation came to mind at several times and "Western Sun" reminded me of Psychotic Waltz and Devon Grave's singing patterns.

Singer Cameron Fitzpatrick is very emotional but tends to overdo it, although the backing vocals mellow out the final result. The catchy refrains and clear production have set these guys out on someting big (I think). The compositions also boast of inspired lyrics, showing that this is no random band and they take what they do seriously i.e. there is a plan.

I picked out "Shifting Ground", "Western Sun" and "Eastern Son" of the five but the whole package is more than satisfying. If it weren't for the (slightly exaggerating) vocals, this would be a solid 4-star, but in any case there is hopefully more to come from this US trio.

3.5 stars