Band:	Subterranean Masquerade
Album:	Temporary Psychotic State
Style:	Progressive metal, Psychedelic rock
Release date:	March 23, 2004
A review by:	Undercraft

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

As soon I received the 2 track Ep from this band, the first thing I did was stare at the beautiful cover art that graces the front and back of this Cd. The plastic that covers the case, had a sticker, it said "A Masterful amalgam of progressive Post-rock and atmospheric Epic Doom" I was intrigued.
Further observation of the booklet I read that the artwork was done by artist extraordinaire Travis Smith, but the real surprise was when I picked up the Cd, which is a mini Cd with an extra transparent part to complete the usual form of a Cd, very good looking, 10 points for presentation and packaging, that's for sure.

The band was formed back in 1997, and this is their debut recording. The band counts in their ranks with members of bands such as November's Doom, Epoch Of Unlight, Agalloch and Anima Nera.

When I began listening the Cd, I was shocked and disgusted at the same time, because the first song didn't sounded Metal to me, like a strange Doomy acoustical project with violins in it, really weird.
After a few spins of this 17 minute Ep, I began to realize that this Ep was the product of pure geniality, the layers on which band rest are quite extensive, we have some Doom, Folk, Rock and Prog Metal.

The vocals are of 2 kinds, some very deep and almost Gothic sounding and some growled ones, which fits the music perfectly, in the second track, there's some female vocals.
Oh, the violin, what a great element in the band, the whole atmosphere is crafted by this little instrument, that is by the way, is masterfully played.

Is a two song Ep only, so I'll be short on this one, I just want to say that this is an strange project, full of different influences and styles, the two songs have calm parts, intense ones and some more atmospheric, this fusion of different moods creates a fantastic reason to keep your ear attached to the speaker for 17 minutes.
Now only rests the tantalizing craving of hearing a full length by these guys.