After having released three EP's and a demo since their formation in 2001, Chicago, Illinois based five-piece general Metal band, KASTASYDE, have now released their second full-length effort called "Gnosis". "Natural State" kicks off the album with a noticeable bang. Normally I have trouble to take a liking to screaming, and especially grunting voices, but this one really fits in with the heavy rocking guitar riffs and solos and with the very rhythmic drumming. It seems KASTASYDE's natural state is that of kicking ass.

To go on at the same pace in "Burial In The Sky", singer Jarret really shows what he's capable of in this one, as do guitarists Eric and Joe. I don't know which one is the lead guitarist, but that one especially distinguishes himself. He seems to play very naturally, like he was born to do it. At this point, I actually hear a little AVENGED SEVENFOLD in their music, but definitely in a good way. Near the end of the song, they also go softer for the first time, something they keep up in the intro from their title track "Gnosis". Here Jarret shows he has a cool clean voice as well, which I actually prefer. "Gnosis" is definitely the best song on the album, with the musicians showing all of their abilities and with great changes of pace as well.

"In the Spiral" is, surprisingly enough, more of a ballad, with acoustic guitars and a nice and easy tempo. Which doesn't mean the singer goes easy as well, he really screams his lungs out at some point, and his voice hasn't sound better on the entire album. "Blackheart" is something else entirely. It drags you right into a desperate pit of speed and chaos, and even has some Nu Metal influences in it. I can hear SLIPKNOT for a short while, until the heavy metal guitar riffs begin. "Never At Peace" keeps them on the same track.

"Empyrean" has the same build up and structure as "Gnosis", with an easy intro and shards of Heavy Metal and straightforward brutality, but also with the changes of tempo. It isn't as good as "Gnosis" though. "Tiamat" is the song they end with, and it's a good choice. It gives you one last taste of their chilling guitar riffs, livid drumming, the force of the voice, and of what they can do in general. And that's quite something.<