Russell HughesThe Sun Explodes – The Calm, The Storm (Self Released)
Genre: Progressive Metal
A winding, twisting musical journey that is timed to perfection – like a seasoned pro The Calm, The Storm knows exactly when to quit.
The Sun Explodes could have easily got carried away with this EP and turned each song into an epic eight-minute homage to technical metal and imagination.
But they reined it all in and created an incredibly accessible and satisfying progressive metal EP.
The follow up to The Sun Explodes’ debut album, The Calm The Storm is a master of shifting shapes and sounds and combines soaring vocals with guitar sections that range from melting your face to beating you over the head.
The Unnatural gets off to a flying start, before settling down to a pulsating mix of catchy chorus hooks and an ethereal mix of vocals and guitar while Storm of Light shows a softer side to the band – and is almost an acoustic song in places.
Mastodon might be the kings of the genre but the lads from Cumbria have got their career off to a very good start. And with more experience and material it might not be long until they are breathing down the Americans’ necks. Russell Hughes
RUSHONROCK RATED: 10/10 Explosive