THE ALCHEMY OF HARMONY

Incredibly impressive album from this belarusians! This band should be much more known. They can easly compare to tech veterans like Atheist, Cynic and Obscura. Production of this album is fantastic - crystal clear sound & fantastic bass. Every time I listen to this CD, I am blown away anew. The band has an original way of melding together their disparate influences into a tight and cohesive whole. Although the riffs can be very choppy and angular, and the music can jump between styles very suddenly, it never feels forced or unnatural. Even at its most bizarre, the music never loses its focus. I also like the long instrumental sections in some of the songs, which really let the band stretch out and explore their ideas to the fullest. The vocalist sounds continually enraged-- he has a sort of harsh bark that isn't as gutteral as most death metal vocals, though his voice fits the music well. The bassist (who is actually audible for most, if not all, of the time) adds all sorts of color to the music. The occasional use of keyboards is tastefully done, too, adding spacey atmosphere when needed. This an essential addition to any tech-metal fan's collection.

Really great piece of art to occupy your brains!