Behold…The Arctopus - Skullgrid

Blackmarket Activities / Metal Blade Records

If they ever create a genre of metal called "prog-death," Behold…The Arctopus would definitely be at the top of the heap. The Brooklyn, NY instrumental trio have weaved together an album chockfull of so many over-the-top compositional turns, you'll feel like you ran a mile in the desert after one listen! That said, you somehow still find yourself remembering many of the schizophrenic riffs long after you put the disc away. It is rare that an album with this much technicality can still hold onto any kind of songwriting focus but beating out any expectations, they pull it off. Nothing about the band or Skullgrid is conventional. To start off, the leading force of the band, Colin Marston, plays a Warr guitar which is some kind of guitar/bass hybrid of sorts. The unlikely pairing of the instrument with the material's brutality makes for a refreshing combination. Marston's fretboard tapping is a real treat and colors the songs with a surprisingly amount of melody.

Dream Theater keyboardist, Jordan Rudess makes a cameo on the thrilling "Transient Exuberance." His solo plays in so perfectly you almost wish he would join the band as a fourth member! Mike Barr of the similarly eccentric Orthrelm, adds some exciting guitar workouts on the song "You Are Number Six." Guests aside, Skullgrid is really Behold…The Arctopus' crowning moment. It is not often you find a band this early in their career (this is their debut album) finding their voice so perfectly. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of over-indulgent moments throughout the album. But the real genius here is that they somehow retain the overall quality of the songwriting and never lose your interest. That in itself is a feat worth commending.

By Carlos Ramirez