Band:	Subterranean Masquerade
Album:	Temporary Psychotic State
Style:	Progressive metal, Psychedelic rock
Release date:	March 2004

01. Temporary Psychotic State (A Recollection Of Where It All Began)
02. Observation Through Metamorphosis

Subterranean Masquerade was born back in 1997 through the imagination and need of self-expression of one musician, Tomer Pink. The first recording of the band is this "Temporary Psychotic State" EP, 2 songs for a 17 minute ride into dark thoughts.

"These conceptual piece deals with the conflict of adjusting to today's dysfunctional, stone cold sober, confirmative world and the search of becoming emotionally independent away from any boundaries" to express it on their own words. A hell of an interesting concept for an EP! Pink was helped by some "labelmates" [drummer Tino LoSicco from Epoch Of Unlight and bassist Jason William Walton from Agalloch, pianist Andy Winter from Winds] and a couple of friends guitarist Jake DePolitte and vocalist Paul Kuhr.

By now, you got it we're dealing with some kind of Doom metal here, even if the progressive aspect of this two songs certainly broadens the style to characterize such music. It's in fact a collection of musical layers hard to identify from doom to progressive to folk and more.

The final product is splendid, atmospheric but progressive, dark feelings but not hopeless all the time, sounds and melodies are coming from everywhere in complete harmony. It really sounds like a deep reflection translated into music. You feel like you're at the center of a gray room with all your emotions rotating before your very eyes. To illustrate that even better, artist-designer Travis Smith has been put to contribution to deliver one of his finest works. Even the disc itself is splendid, a red center completed by transparent void to reach the normal diameter of a CD.

The production is really professional, not surprising seeing that Dave Jerden [Alice In Chains, Jane's Addiction,?] was appointed for this job and Andy Winter mastered the album. How better can it get? If I were to record an album, I would dream to have these guys in charge of production, mastering and artwork!

I'm not even talking about potential here, there's no doubt about the fact that the band has a bright future. You don't come up with such an EP without huge amounts of musicianship and talent. I surely hope to hear from Subterranean Masquerade in the coming months as I'm craving for more of this splendid artsy music. Take two bites of it and wish you had a mouthful.