PENUMBRA DIFFUSE

This is CANVAS SOLARIS' third album and this Georgia trio have toned things down somewhat by adding some atmosphere to the heaviness. I like the way they use the synths and synth guitars in contrast to the all out sonic assaults. This is technical, complex and all instrumental. Oh and I should mention they dedicate this album to the late Denis D'Amour formerly of VOIVOD.

On "Panoramic Long-Range Vertigo" they come out of the corner swinging. The guitar is pretty amazing before 2 minutes.This is so complex and intricate, very impressive. Some moog and synth guitar on this one as well. "Horizontal Radiant" is a top three track for me. This is 11 1/2 minutes of bliss. Much more laid back with synths and drums early before the bass and guitar join in. I like this first part a lot. Some power 2 1/2 minutes in that cuts in and out before it just slashes away relentlessly. The guitar is lighting it up after 4 minutes. It turns spacey 5 1/2 minutes and then kicks back in after 7 1/2 minutes. It settles again to a really great sounding laid back soundscape a minute later. It's heavy again around 10 minutes and the guitar is really moving here as it cries out.

"Accidents In Mutual Silence" is heavy with some huge bass and added synths. "Vaihayasa" is another top three song for me. It's very acoustic sounding with mandolin and acoustic guitars. And check out the tablas, timpani, Moroccan clay drums and congas. A very cool sounding track. "To Fracture" is heavy to open and I like the way the guitar solos over the heaviness after 2 1/2 minutes. Nice bass to follow as it settles and synths come in. It kicks back in a minute later. "Psychotropic Resonance" sounds interesting for the first 2 minutes then it kicks in. Nice. It settles right down before 3 1/2 minutes. "Luminescence" is my favourite. They saved the best for last. Percussion and atmosphere as the guitar comes and goes. Electric piano comes in then drums before 2 minutes. It kicks into gear before 5 minutes and this sounds fantastic ! Synths before 6 1/2 minutes followed by some heaviness. It settles again after 7 minutes before that same heavy sound returns before 10 minutes.

Worth 4 stars by my book. They sound like a blend of ZERO HOUR and GORDIAN KNOT.