From their record label's website, "Wormholedeath proudly welcomes Tokyo-based progressive extreme metal band BEYOND THE VEIL to its roster. The international lineup, featuring members from Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom, has signed with the label for the release of their upcoming album "Oblivion." The album was built around a specific ambition: to drag the spirit of 1970s and '80s progressive rock into direct collision with modern extreme metal. To do it authentically, the band reached for the instruments that defined that era — Mellotron, Moog, and Chapman Stick — giving the record a texture and warmth that sets it apart from anything currently on the heavy music landscape. The songs are long by design. The band was not interested in compromise, and it shows."

The album has six songs, and "Built on Sand" is first. Piano notes lead off the 13-minute beast so calmly, you aren't prepared for what's around the corner…fast, heavy, and aggressive chords that are hit with accuracy, and harsh vocals that sound intensely angry. Follow them carefully into the dark, because they keep moving the path and the destination along the way. The lengthy song however doesn't get lost in the muck, they are always moving forward, and bending it to their will. Their musicianship…is outstanding. How many styles of music can you put into a song? The answer for BEYOND THE VEIL is as many as they want to, and they blend together so very well. Perhaps the greatest compliment I can pay to the band on this first song is how I didn't even notice that 13 minutes had passed.

"A Glimpse into Eternity" begins with clean tones before segueing into harsher ones, and the vocals are devastating. Born in shadows, it does step out every now and again into the light, but it seems most comfortable hunkered down in the dark. "Reflection" is shortest, at only seven minutes. The opening groove is littered with thick bass notes, which help to firm up the bottom end, and the clean vocals resonate. It's an example at how well the band can negotiate different styles of music on the same album. "Enigma" has a grand sound, from the orchestral arrangements. For me, it sounds like the music that might accompany the coronation of a king. It gets darker from there however, with more raging harsh vocals. It borders on chaos from there, with fast-picked riffs and thunderous drumming. If you will, it's like a rock opera of sorts.

"Collapse" features more clean tones, and the band continues to surprise the listener with sugary laden hooks that lament deeply. It's every bit as vital as the darker and more aggressive songs, and many do those lead breaks shine. The closing song, "Terminus," is nearly 16 minutes long. The entering sound is calm and peaceful, but still on the darker side of things. Audible bass notes mix in, and you are presented with balance. Of course, the sound takes an aggressive turn but melody hangs on tight. The band has a knack for harmony as well, and I didn't really notice it until this final track. Again, it's put together so well, you don't even notice the time passing. What you will notice, however, is the band's outstanding musicianship and command of higher order elements. This album seems to have it all.

In sum, this was an excellent release. The total run time of the album is up there, but the amazing thing is that they never lose their way, or meander in the way some Prog albums do. Indeed, they keep the end goal in sight, and each note is a precursor to the next, falling in line like dominoes toppling. I also found the album to be just as advertised…where 70's and 80's Prog meet modern Extreme Metal. It's a dark horse album with impeccable musicianship that will garner them many fans, for sure.