Kylesa "Spiral Shadow"

With all Mastodon comparisns aside, they know how to make great metal. A "Tired Climb" begins the song before they start screaming "Keyed up, all tore up/Free from thought, walking backwards/ Tranquil anxiety/ Refraining from walking backwards/Reverse and rewind/Contemplate moving forward/ Regrets indicate, moving forth is walking backwards." With these pounding drums and a catchy riff, it's almost as if they're "Cheating Synergy." This song has an awesome groove and drum signature, with a great riff that reminds me when "I Ran (So Far Away)." Believe me, it's bad-@ss!!! "Drop Out" starts pounding the drums before opening with this ominous riff that then has the mosh pit jumping "Truth that doesn't fit/A curse of inspiration/Try to stay afloat/Too much information/Bow and take an exit/Face vacant destination/ Disappointment won't console/There is no celebration" before the build up of tension and an explosion of anger along with more great instrumentals. "Crowded Road" may be a song that could have been written by those pachydermic behemoths, but the song is distinctly Kylesa's. "Don't Look Back" and keep that poppy riff, because the song is a great one about living in the present and making sure you keep those regrets to a minimum because regrets usually deter progress. This has those whirring riffs that may be similiar to them ,but this song is also worth your time. Can a song create the illusion of "Distance Closing In?" this one can, just the muted refrain of Philip Cope "Let down again/Walls fade away/Distance closing in/Another time delay," the bass, and persistant beat, some feedback all work for an imagined, but perfectly safe simulation of claustrophobia. It's easy to forgive, but "To Forget" is another story. It almost feels like being "Forsaken" maybe easier with its feedback and then galloping drums, with low tuned guitar to get stoned to, and those muted screams that one cannot hear for being so high above them."Spiral Shadow" is a great dizzying track that open the first three minutes with top notch riffs and percussion, and "I'm settled in fear/Why? How?/Is death near?" for the fear is a perfect example of their talent and drive. I feel like I'm going "Back and Forth" like a chicken with it's head cut off rushing to finish the bulk of these entries before the school season starts. But if you don't keep up with the world that is constantly moving you will be left in the "Dust." This is a GREAT album, but If I only coul make six shadows I would choose: Tired Climb, Cheating Synergy, Drop Out, Don't Look Back, Distance       Closing In, and Spiral Shadow.