THE ANCHORET is "a Progressive Metal project that combines Prog Rock sensibilities with modern metal energy. Mixing fusion sax, flute solos, mellotron vibes and heavy riffs, THE ANCHORET offers a unique soundscape that is sure to please all fans or heavy music." The album has nine songs, and "An Office for..." is the first. The opening guitar leads are a bit somber, and rooted in the blues, and the vocals are smooth and melancholy at first. A big riff slams in, and the instruments work very tightly with one another. The vocals begin to climb into the clouds as the sound shifts close to the half way mark. It takes a tense, and darker turn, with some fantastic lead breaks. The suspense that the band builds is noteworthy, and it ends with your hands to the sky...pleading, "why?"

"A Dead Man" has faster and heavier accents at times, with equally melancholy tones at other times. Here, the Progressive elements come through stronger, both in the quality of the vocal harmonies and the shifting time meter. The tense tones are augmented by angry flute notes, and absolutely string-burying lead breaks. "Until the Sun Illuminates" is much more aggressive out of the gate, with heavy guitar accents and rolling drums like thunder. You can tell that this is a talented band, within many different instruments as well. Crossing the half-way mark, spacy keyboards make themselves known, and the synergy in this song is tight.

"Someone Listening?" drips with emotional tones in the beginning, followed by another tight riff with heavy accents. The contrast between the vocal and the music is striking, yet it all works so well together. Sexy saxophone notes augment the sound as well. Heading towards completion, the emotions really run strong. "Forsaken" is a smoother and sultrier ride, and the message is dark, even angry at times: "I, now too black to feel...I, now reside in my cloak of fear...I know it's wrong...you feel it too...just a forsaken inhuman fool." This kind of desolation makes me just want to crawl in a hole and never come out. But the music...it's so emotional even with its deep stabs of pain. It's like the old adage, "at least you feel something."

"Buried" is a beautiful song, with ardent hardness to go along with the melodies. It's a short, concise and emotional song with the message that encourages the listener not to hide their eyes of their feelings. "All Turns to Clay" has a psychedelic edge to it, especially the way the keyboards interact with the bass guitar, and harsh vocals combine with sultry sax notes and a staccato riff. These elements seem to be in conflict, but as the song moves forward, each piece falls into place. The sound is strangely pleasing. "Unafraid" begins with a fairly smooth ride with vocal harmonies. A darker and edgier riff enters, and tension mounts. Rounding the half-way mark, it subsides a bit, but returns with just a little more through the end.

"Stay" closes the album. It's a plea for one's partner to accept you as you are, and to stay with you. Tender tones and emotionally charged vocal harmonies set the stage. The lead guitar breaks are fantastic again and follow the melody line in perfect succession. It's a very touching closing song. This was an outstanding album. As with a lot of Progressive music, it can take a while to fully assimilate, but as the key turns slowly, it unlocks the pure magic that is presented. The musicians are very talented, and let loose at times with great prowess, but never at the expense of the music itself.