MITHRAS and "On Strange Loops". This is an album out together by two guys, that blends Progressive, Death, Melodic, Technical and a pinch of Black. Holy shit, right? Let me tell you a bit about whether or not this works.

The first thing I need to point out is that the way this album blends, the way each song bleeds into each other, is amazing. When I saw the description of "Progressive Metal" I wasn't very optimistic in all honesty, while Progressive Metal is very broad, I tend to not end up enjoying the releases I get from it too often. MITHRAS take on a much more Melodic tone with "On Strange Loops" and it definitely gives the album a lot of personality. Vocalist and bassist Rather Coss has an almost Hardcore edge to his growls that gives him much more power behind his words, while still almost having a Johan Hegg (Amon Amarth) style of Melodic Death vocals.

As for the music itself, the album is very experimental in the sense that MITHRAS are blending softer tones that you would be likely to find in more Progressive Metal (MASTODON for instance) while keeping the Death Metal edge and even having a touch of Black Metal tone in there. Specifically in songs like "Part the Ways" and "Odyssey's End" the Black Metal influence starts to stick out a little more with the way the main riffs are done, much more raw and simple but still full of power and energy. Where as songs like "Howling of the Distance Spaces" take on a more Progressive mixed with Technical Death style.

I came into "On Strange Loops" fully expecting another cookie cutter Progressive Metal album, but instead I got an album full of influence and sound and risk. MITHRAS really did everything they could to stand out from the crowd on this one, if anything said here stood out to you then I highly suggest you pick up this album, because I definitely would love to have a physical copy of this album in my collection.

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