Miami based Heavy Metal band CAVE OF SWIMMERS have released their second album, called "Reflection". It only contains five songs, but they don't need any more to impress.

The first song, called "The Prince of The Power of The Air", starts of with some synthesizers and a slow but catchy drumbeat, until the guitars come in with a powerful riff and set the mood. Singer GE Perez immediately captures your attention with his entrancingly clear voice, which reminds me a little of DANZIG. It's not especially the voice that sounds like him, but more the way he uses it. Then, halfway through the ten minutes long opener, Perez comes with a guitar solo that sounds like a slow John Petrucci, and the rhythm of the song changes, with another cool riff and what sounds like African percussion, which takes over for a while. They finish with another little solo and then go back to the beginning of the song, and a powerful riff to end with. It's all very well crafted.

Then Comes "The Skull", with a very catchy Heavy Metal like opening riff. After that it sounds like they had a lot of Stoner Rock influences, with slow but heavy guitars and drums. And then they surprise you with an angelic little piece in between all the heaviness, before Perez once again unleashes his demons. The song goes on like that until it explodes again after six minutes.

"Still Running" captures you immediately with its fast drumming and guitar playing. It's more straightforward than the first two songs. They don't ease into it, they just go for it, and they do it well. In this one Perez sings about his inner demons and his yearning for escape. Halfway through the African percussion come in again. It's a bit of a strange mix with all the heaviness going on, but they pull it off. It finishes yet again with a powerful guitar riff. I don't know where they keep getting them.

"Reflection" then is the follow-up from "Still Running". They mix fast and slow, heavy and soft. Even though it's yet again a very well crafted song, it's a pity it's all instrumental. I don't mind instrumental at all, but when you have such a powerful voice in your midst, I'd rather have them use it to the fullest.

The album finishes with a radio edited version of "The Prince of The Power of The Air", which in my opinion, they might as well have left out. It's a little more powerful than the long version, but it's not better.

However, it does not break the spell this excellent album hits you with.