CIRCLES AND BUTTERFLIES

The Last Things is an obscure progressive metal band formed in Florida, USA in early '90's. The band released one album in 1993 named Circles and butterflies at danish label Nordic metal and then disappeared into oblivion. It's truly sad to see how such excellent bands and specialy albums gone unnoticed by many prog metal listners. The album is mature and has great potential, with intristing lyrics . Inspiration and originality are at the highest level and very often the result is surprisingly awesome. The Last Things plays progressive metal, but as a whole is hard to label , because in places they are toying even with neo prog sounding similar with Marillion and has also some techno- thrash elements are here and there not far from Watchtower or Forbidden for ex. The band consists of Richard Elliot IV) ? vocals , guitar, keys is the main man behind the band, having written most of the music, all lyrics and created an excellent , intristing surreal artwork. Darren Mc Farland (from Atheist fame) ? bass, Lou Buffo ? drums and Matt Lapont - guitar (only for live section). Various instruments are used besides this traditional ones like flute or bagpipes to give to the album a very special atmosphere with a slight psychedelic vibe. Keyboard is used sparingly but wonderfully enhances the atmosphere when it enters the sound. All musicians are extremely crafted, each one known bussines, Richard voice is from more agressive approach with great range to melancholic and mood laid back passages, when he reach high notes he sounds almost like Fish from Marillion. The bass player provides some very intristing and original chops on the instrument being one of the most underrated bas players from this scene. The drummer is technical and gives a proper gear to the album. This album is one of the most intristing and original pieces ever released in progressive metal zone and quite unnoticed by many. Is very hard to find this album nowa days but if you found it I can only recommended this album because It is a unique gem lost in the sands of time. A masterpiece of prog metal and highly recommended, 5 star easy and one of my fav albums ever aswell.