PATHFINDER

A Japanese progressive metal band releasing annual Christmas EPs does not sound all that cohesive but wait till you listen to this hidden gem. In 2013 Early Cross released their debut ''Pathfinder'' following the ''Solstice'' EP of 2010 which showed promise. I am pleasantly surprised as this album fills a gap in my 90's nostalgia, and at the same time incorporates recent lyrical trends in progressive metal, combined into what these Japanese call ''landscape'' rock. And the description is not far off.

''Pathfinder'' is a beautiful mix of 90's The Gathering and Anathema, Akerfeldt-ian guitar melodies and riffage masterfully done by Hiroaki Kato and a landscape melancholy - not quite post-metal but not far - that resembles to works of Riverside. The sound along with the artwork create a very convincing package. Natasha VAICHUK (not with band currently) delivers haunting atmospheres with her ethereal (and slightly wicked) voice that blend remarkably with the heavy riffology in the album. ''Pathfinder'' treks generally between mid-tempos and more dynamic tempos in the vein of the variations seen in Opeth's ''Blackwater Park''.

Downside is potentially the close resemblance to Opeth (even at the use of mellotron) which affects the album's originality, but this unlikely to stop you from enjoying this highly professional, ambitious (depicted in the 14-min ''The Pilgrimage'') and heartful release.

Memorable melodies such as those in ''Ashes & Yallow'', ''Hymn to the Fallen'' or ''Cairn'' are not composed every day.