Band:	Unexpect
Album:	Fables Of The Sleepless Empire
Style:	Extreme avantgarde metal
Release date:	May 2011

01. Unsolved Ideas Of A Distorted Guest
02. Words
03. Orange Vigilantes
04. Mechanical Phoenix
05. The Quantum Symphony
06. Unfed Pendulum
07. In The Mind Of The Last Whale
08. Silence This Parasite
09. A Fading Stance
10. When The Joyful Dead Are Dancing
11. Until Yet A Few More Deaths Do Us Part

The Montreal-based asylum known as Unexpect broke a 5-year silence after with their new opus Fables From The Sleepless Empire. And the least I can say is that it is a demanding listen. Absolutely insane actually! This is the toughest review I had to write seeing that there is more music to be found on the opening track than on most albums. If any musical label can be applied to these guys, only extreme avant-garde metal would do them somewhat justice. And this is just a snooty way to say I have no clue.

Despite the long hiatus, their new songs still sound like three different bands are playing at the same time and somehow sound incredible. There is an over-the-top mockery orchestration a la crazy circus enveloping a female-fronted pop/gothic band seconded by a mambo/salsa/jazz outfit and all of it nicely wrapped up by an ultra-deranged melodic death combo. Needless to say these songs feature some of the craziest arrangements you will ever hear. If you like your music linear and structured, you are out of luck. This is total musical madness. But more surprisingly, the organized chaos seems to become a shape shifter along the number of listens, creating an elaborate labyrinth of unmatched sonic landscapes. Essentially the pandemonium seems to have a life of its own. And that is where the magic happens with this band. Growls, screams and female vocals share the scene relentlessly and harmoniously despite the presence of three full-time singers. The frantic violin and hectic piano both act as the binding element between the genres. However, do not be fooled by all the extras. At the core this is brutal, even violent music. No one comes out unscathed. Most of the guitar work is memorable breakneck riffs and killer melodies. Technically this is out of this world.

Compared to their previous album In A Flesh Aquarium, this new offering has a more modern feel. Overall, I would say it is even more progressive. It also seems the gothic elements have been toned down to give the melodies more of an industrial pop texture. Regardless, Fables From The Sleepless Empire is a monumental and mature effort that demands multiple listens to fully enjoy. Simply put, it is one of the best albums of the year as long as you like manic music.