ACTS OF DECEPTION

After the excellent CHAOS CODE folded the tent drummer Patrick Gaffney started CEREBUS EFFECT with guitarist Joseph Walker. We also get Mike Galway on bass and Dan Britton on keyboards, vocals and some guitar. Dan has since led bands like BIRDS AND BUILDINGS and DELUGE GRANDEUR. This is an album that really threw me for a loop, especially when it's listed under Jazz / Fusion because this is very adventerous and incorporates many styles. Rio / Avant is what I thought about mostly but definitely Jazz / Fusion and there's some Metalish moments too. This isn't for the faint of heart but more for fans of Avant styled music.

"Y" has such an amazing intro with so much going on then it settles in with synths and drums leading. Incredible sound here. It changes again and again,well you get the picture. Nice bass 3 1/2 minutes in. Some ripping guitar after 5 minutes too. Killer track. "Identity Crisis" opens with distorted guitar and other sounds including fast paced vocals from Dan that are a little bizzare to say the least. The vocals stop 3 minutes in as the guitar takes the lead. Vocals return as we get more insane avant music. "Dark At The End Of The Tunnel" is an improv and it's dark with cymbals, drums, piano and other sounds coming and going. "Illusions" is like getting hit in the face with a board.Yes i'm awake already ! Fat bass a minute in and the guitar lights it up a minute later. "Of Mortal Constraints" is almost heavenly sounding after all that has gone on before. It's like a dream or an out of body experience. "Operation Midnight Climax" opens with piano melodies. This is uptempo as drums, bass and guitar join in. Fast paced spoken words too. The guitar leads for a while then piano as themes are repeated. "Nine Against Ten" is uptempo and out of control. Crazy guitar before 2 minutes then it settles down. It kicks back after 4 1/2 minutes to the end. "Neutrino Flux" is also an improv and man these guys really show there stuff here. Great track. "Fine Lines Between Silence And Art" is experimental sounding early and it's dark. "Unconsoled" opens with acoustic guitar and piano. This is gorgeous. "W" features guitar, drums and piano standing out early. Check out the guitar a minute in. It settles 3 minutes in but not for long.

Like the cover art the music here is strange and at times shocking. Another album to check out for you adventerous music lovers out there.