CHTHONICK

Melodic prog metal from Miami/Florida with significant interfaces to Fates Warning and Tool. Not meant as they are plagiarizing with the sound but you all know - comparisons are coming up automatically when listening to new stuff. Here we have a relatively young band which started in 2001 and it took some years until they formed a solid line-up to produce their first album. ALITHEIA's uniqueness is reasoned with Alfredo Vicente's vocals and first of all with an excellent varied guitar work by Raul Valentine alternating between heavy rocking, psychedelic and metal riffing of course within the elaborated recordings. The band's rhythm section is also doing a very good job what I don't want to forget to mention.

The songs are worked out with a blend of dynamic eruptive and atmospheric melodic sentiments which becomes clear immediately when listening to the album opener Sanctum Of The Symbol. This sounds really flawless and doesn't rank behind their paragons. Besides the following lesser heavy rocking tune Solid Of Revolution the band offers Root Of Infinity which is surprisingly supplied with guitar echoes remembering me at Pink Floyd (yes!) for the first minutes. And this provides the song with a special melancholy - wow - my highlight of the album! The gripping Penumbra is another song processed by the band as a special unity with excellent guitar work. The Empty Set shows them starting relaxed with a nice flow until bass and drums are suddenly initiating a more powerful mood. A psychedelic guitar interlude is also given later. Potamos finally makes sure to have some growling moments on the other hand.

I can attest ALITHEIA to be successful with 'Chthonick' as for the start. Yes, I like this album very much after hearing it for several times because of its special easy-going mood and I'm prognosting them a hopeful future with more matured albums by improving their style. A recommended addition for melodic prog metal and even art rock fans who are feeling comfortable on the heavier side - 3.5 stars really with a trend upwards!