HACRIDE.  Heavy from France that is not named GOJIRA.  "Back to Where You've Never Been" is their 5^th release, and first with Luis Roux and Florent Marcadet on vocals and drums respectively. While I did enjoy their previous album "Lazarus", both are welcome additions. The vocals have range, emotion and vary in intensity proving that Roux is more than just a guy that can swallow a mic and growl. Along with the change to 50% of their line-up, HACRIDE's sound has undergone a very beneficial evolution.Like X-Ray vision, or an Anamantium skeleton.

I found it slightly ironic that the first track on the album was titled "Introversion", since one of the only negative things I have to say about this CD is there are a lot tedious intros into almost every song. I have nothing against setting the mood a little but use it, as you would salt when cooking. Too much and it doesn't' matter what's in the pot anymore. Also, I would not have minded a few guitar leads, but I won't penalize them for that omission.

I recommend this album. HACRIDE made music that is more than just the sum of its parts. I planned on not using the title Progressive Metal in this review, because I feel like that is overused and under executed. That title is loosely thrown at any band that has a drummer capable of playing in a time signature other than 4/4.  But I will say that HACRIDE definitely made progress within itself, and is clearly the second best thing to come out of the metal scene in France.