Forget their J.R.R. Tolkien related name, forget their disjointed last outing "Phormula"/"RePhormula", and forget pretty much everything you think you already know about musical boundaries and you'll be perfectly prepared for what Ephel Duath have in store on "The Painter's Palette". An eclectic collection of songs that successfully blend jazz, funk, electronic, metal and a variety of other influences with a manic reverence; These avant garde Italians will have no trouble impressing any open minded music fan with their latest collection of bombastic noise.

In a world where all too often bands that mix musical styles come out sounding like a trip to the carnival on acid, Ephel Duath instead draw heavily upon intelligent prog-rock like structuring and prefer maturity over absurdity. Similar to groups like The Postman Syndrome and dredg, the band compose a brilliantly blistering whirlwind of metallic musical cacophony that is balanced out by some of the smoothest jazz and funk laden passages heard this side of Miles Davis.

Stunningly complex and surprisingly ferocious, this album is at times a haunting, if not tortured listen and yet through it all it oozes confidence and accomplished musicianship to such a degree that not being bowled over is hardly an option. Expansive instrumentation, a wide scope of influences and clever if not occasionally schizophrenic songwriting are all qualities that permeate this effort and are present in a large enough dosage to inebriate any true music lover. Unquestionably it will prove to be far too much for most, but for those with a taste for true musical art, "The Painter's Palette" is a piece that rivals the works of Picasso in the field of abstract brilliance.