There are times when some works are sold to you as if it was the greatest of the greatest, the all above all. But just a little listening to an album and this picture that was created in front of you disappears. In the present case, French/North American quintet BLAAK HEAT is one of those cases, because "Shifting Mirrors" has a very good propaganda about it, but when you heart it...

It's a musical and eclectic form of Rock with some vibe coming from the 70s, but being from many modern influences, with very good musical technique and Progressive Rock influences. But the band's work exaggerates in many moments, becoming a boring experience for those who aren't so cool minded. It is really something different, but need some improvements. The production of the album was done by the Grammy Award-winning producer Matt Hyde (who previously worked with SLAYER, MONSTER MAGNET and DEFTONES), but the final result is weird. Yes, you can understand what they are playing, but it's too dirty and oiled, and we have that feeling that a smoke cloud exists above the songs when you hear "Shifting Mirrors." If the idea was to sound a bit rawer, it failed. A name doesn't make a good producer, after all.

The instrumental "Anatolia" has a good drumming, but boring technical parts that repeats endlessly; the same problem can be heard on "Sword of Hakim" and on "The Approach to Al-Mu'tasim" (this one with good Ethnic Music parts, but the Jazz orientated rhythm with technical drums is repetitive, and the vocals tunes are really disgusting). The heavy and Progressive feeling that exists on "Ballad of Zeta Brown" is a very good point, as the instrumental technique is not extreme and not so repetitive, and the same can be said about "Mola Mamad Djan". The introspective parts of "The Peace Within" are very good indeed, but the vocals again are in a detestable way. If you're a goddam hipster, this album is for you. But to Metalheads, I should say stay away. But you can judge "Shifting Mirrors" for yourselves, and have good nightmares.