Sun Caged Netherlands

"As is typical of progressive metal, there is plenty of genre transgression on this album which contains virtually everything from blastbeats over ballady choruses and heavy groove guitar riffage to slapping and fretless bass as well as some jazz-fusion-like and some neoclassical elements. For instance, the opener "Seamripper (& the Blanket Statement)" contains some grinding blastbeats combined with more groovy and melodic elements, and there is some awesome slapping bass in "Tip-Toe the Fault-Line" and "Shades of Hades", while "Ashes to Ear" delivers some more classic progressive metal figures and odd time signature plus prominent keyboards and a quite melodic nature. So does the darker track "Lotus" which also involves an Epic Middle Eastern atmosphere. "Ashtamangala the 8 Auspicious Symbols" is an even more epic suite in seven parts which, needless to say, offers many twists, turns and other interesting things.

The vocals are clear and have a very melodic quality as well as an almost volatile texture but very potent at the same time, which is in an interesting contrast to the very heavy sounding guitars. The level of musicianship is obviously very high, delivering impressive work on all instruments, and fans of guitar virtuoso-playing can look forward to some very nice guitar solos.

With all its variation and both modern and classic elements album should appeal to fans of progressive metal.

(review originally posted on metalmusicarchives.com)"