Five Pointe 0's follow up to their pioneering debut is expansive wasteland of smothering aggression densely layered with subversive programming. Once again defying direct comparisons this time around the band takes shape with what could best be considered a concept album. Each song flows into the next almost telling an epic story while opening the floodgates on different canals of emotion. The band takes the listener through a cathartic rage focused over intricately crafted song structures to serene anguish that soothes and cradles before welling up and bursting under the pressure of the crippling strength of a band unchained. Vocalist Dan once again levels the listener with irate chants and lush radiant croons. Verses combust into adrenaline fueled aggression without warning causing them to take on an almost Jeckyl & Hyde persona. Constantly keeping the listener on their toes and almost always assuredly leaving them to suspect that some sick and deadly feeling of agonizing venting of torment will surface without warning like a blister on freshly burnt flesh, they take it to the forefront of the music with flair and skill. Guitar playing courtesy of Sharon and Eric has evolved at a rapid pace from their previous self titled release. Although they still intertwine and focus heavily on their instruments range all the while working off each other, they also seem to take a more primal approach this time around, lurking in the shadows and stalking waiting for the opportune moment to strike, making wisping noises and providing thick ambiance that doesn't just sound like a plain guitar, instead they are enveloping parts that play out almost like a symphony of dynamic music cloaking tightly Dan's virulent vocals. It's hard to describe the beautiful usage of guitar they incorporate that doesn't just sound like a played out straight riff, the array of effects, outlandish patterns and chords that are used are truly spirited and feel extremely pristine. Bass once again concentrates on a more percussive approach, although note hits are left ringing and winding on building the foundation of the soundscape for which the more provocative components of the music construct themselves upon. Drums are solid, a bit darker and a bit more complex than previous work, they flow evenly throughout each tempo shift providing a refined change of pace be it with low rumbling rolls, dead on backbeats or chaotic random hits they fill their role in the songs well. Keyboards/programming by Casey has perhaps once again stolen the spotlight on the bands work though. With such innovative and engrossing layers and sounds that rather than sound like a keyboard, instead end up sounding like a windy environmental ambiance dusting all the other instruments lightly with their precise placement and style. Perhaps the only downside to the CD could be the conceptual nature which although is written superbly, doesn't completely satisfy or portray what this band can completely do. The bands ability to make such richly combined song structures is perhaps their most impressive ability. From top to bottom the CD feels more like a sonic voyage through the unknown rather than your basic "album". A band that try's something new and hit's it dead on is rare, a band that does it this well is even more uncommon and this is perhaps what makes the band so great. Five Pointe 0 are without question one of the most gifted groups to ever emerge in the heavy music scene, their ability to write epic songs that hold the ears attention from start to finish are unparalleled, a band like this that can mend together such varied elements into such a solid lethal combination deserve praise on merit alone, yet there's more to it, because just listening to their music isn't your usual more of the same generic approach in the least, in fact, listening to their music, is an experience unlike that any other band has ever created.
(5 / 5)