Here we have the third full length album by the oddly titled German Alt Rockers STEPFATHER FRED, I'm going to save some suspense here and preface the review by saying that I loved this album from start to finish.

"Deep In My Mind" kicks the album off with a powerful statement, they really threw everything at the wall here and importantly, all of it stuck. From the raucous opening riff, the jarring changes in atmosphere from hard rock to bluesy noodling, the deliriously ecstatic guitar solo from Simon Bihlmayr, soaring choruses and soulful vocal interjections, this song has everything. It's as though they distilled the essence of everything that is to come into one track, and it is a brilliant start to the LP.

"If She Falls" demonstrates very high-quality composition, with a crisp chugging riff driving the song forward, the drums of Julius Dollinger are allowed to take centre stage with this track, featuring numerous changes of pace and highly technical breakdowns where the drums and guitars do rhythmic battle. The song also features lots of impressive vocals, Sebastian Schuster shows he can move from a soulful whisper to an agonised scream effortlessly. This track is never less than completely engaging.

"I Am the Sea" is a melodic highlight of the album, with a fantastically catchy vocal hook, and another powerfully bruised performance from Schuster. The song lyrically very much reflects the album as a whole, "Constantly Moving, Constantly Drowning" sums up the whole affair quite well. This also features some very deft percussion, with Dolinger punctuating the Groove inspired guitars with some superb hi-hat work.

I'd like to point out the highlights of the album, but really every song here is a highlight, I would not suggest any are skippable, there's not a wasted note to be found anywhere. But if I had to pick out some of the most important tracks, I would draw your attention particularly to the simple Blues Rocker "Unconditional Love" which fully utilises the extensive soulful abilities of Schuster's voice.  "Wenga" starts out as a Punky hard hitter, which again features a very soulful vocal breakdown, before becoming something that sounds a bit like AFGHAN WHIGS turned up to eleven if Greg Dulli could sing in tune. "Circles" has huge STONE SOUR vibes, infectiously catchy vocals, and riffs, lots of shades of light and dark, unbounded energy. "Numb" is a mid-tempo piece with experimentation on the guitars and ethereal pop sensibilities that would not be out of place on a modern day DEFTONES album.

Seeing us out of the door is "Darkness Prevails", a sparkling acoustic intro belies the brooding, moody piece that is to come, which itself belies the exhilarating final guitar solo that tops off this monster of an LP.

It seems futile to try and pigeon-hole the album or the band for that matter. It's Hard Rock, it's Alternative, it's Blues, Soul, Grunge, Nu-Metal, Pop, Stoner, Groove. "Like The Sea" is all those things but refuses to abide by the conventions of any one in particular. The musicality is top notch, an exceptionally high level across all the tracks and the production is nice and clear capturing every detail of each instrument, essential when so much feel and emotion is flowing through those instruments.

If I had to reluctantly highlight a problem with this album, it could only really be that the promo copy I got only featured ten of the thirteen tracks. A mistake I assume, as I had to go and find them for myself, but the fact that I did so should tell you something. Even of albums I rate highly, it is unusual for one to make it into my permanent rotation, but I think this one is going to get there, it is one of the most exciting Rock albums I have heard in some time.