INCOLORS, a German Metal duo with a complex expressional goal, the technically minded musicians bring us a self-released amalgamation of moods and genre's on their new E.P "Diamonds". The unusual concept is the brain child of guitarist Markus Vermeulen whom after a short period of experimenting with the project teamed up with vocalist Gerrit Quade to layer more colors to the already colorfully abstract sound. The idea here is to blend a variety of Metal, Post Punk and Indie flavors into a huge pot mixed with an abundance of progressive arrangements.

So...does it work?

"Lifeless Time" eases in hauntingly and six string clarity becomes distorted riffs, demonic growls layered with a mid-pitched harmony vocal which at times reaches out to an almost uncomfortable place. The sampled drums really work for the majority but the bongos are a step too far. "Diamonds" shifts into a Post Punk angst of organized chaos with shades of AT THE DRIVE IN with a purposefully confusing detour and a short sharp shove into thunderous growls and virtuoso guitars which makes it sound like there are two songs been thrown together. There is definitely talent on show here as is demonstrated on the third track "Roses" which for me is the stand out track on this very ambitious E.P. The mix of blends definitely work on this song and the direction is much more definite and palatable. "Discolored" ends this contemporary abstract body of art in a much better place than it begun, like a painting the more layers of paint you add the more the subject comes to life. But, beware because sometimes you can add too much and end up with a bit of a mess, the trick is to only give it what it needs and at times INCOLORS have done just that.

There is potential here and the desire to create something unique, although there is a lack of direction which is self-proclaimed however I would encourage the duo to keep on experimenting with the concept.