PATHWAYS TO WHOLENESS

Catharsis is one of the forgotten great bands from progressive metal realm who didn't get the reputation they desearve, releasing one album in 1995 named Pathways to wholness at the danish label Nordic Metal. Well, I have this album since 2002 and since then I've listen to this release no more then 4-5 times. Fiew weeks ago I decided to give a proper chance and re lisen the album couple of times before making a review. So, my impression as a whole was good, raw prog metal without keyboards, not far from techno thrash bands from late '80's like Anacrusis or Forbidden but with a good doze of progressive elements added, this elements were the bridge between bands like Catharsis, The Last Things, In the Name, etc and the rest of techno thrash bands who remain faithfull to their roots. Very powerfull album with many tempo changes, some good vocals but too cold for my taste, but good, some excellent drum chops and very solid and captivating guitar solos and riffs, this is how I can describe this album. Even is places is raw but still progressive, Catharsis never made in this scene, is strange because this is a very good album who turns to be their swansong. What more is a characteristic of this album is that the music is very dense, thay never let you to take a breath between pieces, only some tracks under 1 min change the atmosphere from rough to more acustic and vocal orientated piece. As a whole I find it a good album, very similar to my ears with american prog metal Power of omens. While I enjoy this album I can't give more then 3 stars, is good but something is missing here, I don't know really what, maybe the sound is too crisp in places, too cold. Nevertheless a hard to find album who needs a better view for sure, still pretty good band who for sure make their mark in prog metal realm. 3 stars, weaker in my opinion then other Nordic metal issue gem - The Last Things album - Butterflies and circles.