To play what is called Progressive Metal is not something so easy. The bands on this particular style have to deal with extremely conditions: they must play with a great and refined technique, but their songs must be heavy and they have to convince the Metal fans to give them a chance, because when someone hear/see a label used to describe them, sometimes the fans prefer to stay always, in the own zone of comfort. To be honest, to stay in this zone is to be a coward, and not a Metalhead. Who Dares wins, so I must say that bands like the Finnish quintet SIMULACRUM can be a very good trial. Their second work, "Sky Divided", is out now, and deserves a careful listening from us all.

It's a Progressive Metal using very good ethereal moments due the wise use of keyboards, but extremely heavy due the great guitar riffs and fine rhythmic kitchen, along with fine vocals (that knows to use some harsh normal tunes of Niklas' voice). I dare to compare their work with SYMPHONY X's "Paradise Lost", just to show you as they can ally weight, technique and aggressiveness in same proportions, but always with very good taste.

When you start hearing "Sky Divided", the sound quality is one of the first features that astonishes us: it is clean, done by careful hands, but it is so heavy and full of energy, a work that demands a lot from the band and the producer. But they reached a very good level of quality, something that really is near perfection.

"Timelapse" with its thunderous rhythmic work, and energetic and hooking tempos; the technical "Behind the Belt of Orion", that presents a great work by guitars and fine keyboards orchestrations; the melodic and introspective "Embrace The Animal Within", and  the giants "The Abomination" and "A New Beginning" can be named as their finest moments, but the whole album is great.

Hear it and get caught!