THE CHEMICAL CHAOS

Poverty's best work. Previous ones were also good, but here they finally get a top-notch production (more hard-rockish than metallic) which really serves to bring out power and emotion in their music. The first three songs are actually one of the best 1-2-3 punches to open an album I've heard. Catchy melodies, tempo shifts, a slap bass solo. What's not to like? They might be slightly less complicated than previous 2 albums in the sense that they are no song-within-a-song numbers here. But hardly a note is wasted.

In addition to the first three, also of mention are the beautiful melancholic acoustic version of Access denied, and the instrumental Terminal Trip - one of my favorite prog metal instrumentals with its diverse array of keyboard breaks and twin guitar harmonizing. It's different from other songs which revolve around phylosophical issues, and reminds me of a sci-fi chase movie.

Now, the job of a reviewer obligates me to point out not only pros but contras as well. Ooh I don't know. Second half weaker that the first half? 9-minute Pact with the past overstates it welcome? It's just cherry picking.

Overall, excellent work.