I honestly cannot agree with some of the ways you characterized Jim Grey and even your assessment of the album relative to Moments, but the overall rating and sentiment is spot on.

The quality I like best about this band is without a doubt how eclectic their influences are, drawing from such a beneficial range of big name progressive metal bands. It makes this album consistently surprising and interesting. Their ability to blend them all together brings out that, as you say, "seamless simplicity with which the band transgresses genres within the same track."

It's strange but I find it to be original in this way, yes we can hear the influences quite obviously coming through in their music, but they never stick with one influence, and continually move on to another to keep things varied. Not to mention they have clear aptitude for writing progressive music.

As far as Australian progressive metal goes, I think this band strike a special balance between those sounds of more alternative leanings, such as Karnivool, while also pushing a progressive sound we haven't managed for some time, to my knowledge. A promising band indeed.

Written by R'Vannith on 20.01.2014 at 04:38

The quality I like best about this band is without a doubt how eclectic their influences are, drawing from such a beneficial range of big name progressive metal bands. It makes this album consistently surprising and interesting. Their ability to blend them all together brings out that, as you say, "seamless simplicity with which the band transgresses genres within the same track."

It's strange but I find it to be original in this way, yes we can hear the influences quite obviously coming through in their music, but they never stick with one influence, and continually move on to another to keep things varied. Not to mention they have clear aptitude for writing progressive music.

That really echoes my opinion on CH's music in general. I think this is a genuine case of originality where you don't actually create a new dimension, instead you change your approach in songwriting and executing every note by keeping things varied without turning it into a mess.

Great review btw, Tutor.

One of the most pleasant surprises I had from the passing year. I'm not super excited about the production, but everything else is superb.
P.S - Am I the only one thinking that the vocalist sounds a bit like Tool's while the lead guitar player share some qualities with Guthrie Govan?
Now that's a combination I never thought I'll hear!

You're not alone, man! I hear Maynard on every their song . My girlfriend doesn't think so :-P. Anyways, for me these are pretty mild reviews, Sam is as innovative guitarist as they come regarding everything from rhythm, overdubbing melodies, great and tasteful soloing and of course the hardest thing, seemingly blending it all together! Grey has really great balanced vocals, one of the best that i heard in a while (especially as a fan of Maynard). Not to forget, whole band sounds tight and bursting with energy. All in all, great album, great music, one of the rare albums that i listened through and through like a 50 times and couple of weeks!