In the world of technical instrumental music, there is one band that stands out above most of the others- ANIMALS AS LEADERS. This trio of insanely talented technical musicians have released several albums of huge rhythmic and melodic complexity, innovating the way extended range guitars with 7 and 8 strings can be used. On "Madness of Many", their fourth album, the group, comprised of guitarists Tosin Abasi and Javier Reyes along with drummer Matt Garstka, focus heavily on the more rhythmic aspect of their sound.

While pioneering musical aspects of the "Djent" sound, ANIMALS AS LEADERS never followed through with what is starting to become a largely predictable formula. Instead, here they have continued to experiment with flowing polyrhythmic exercises that completely remove any traditional sense of metre. This does mean that in the focus on the rhythmical groove, the melodies are occasionally pushed behind the technical aspects, making it hard to distinguish many of the pieces from each other. Throughout most of the 10 songs here, melodic hooks are few and far between.

"Madness of Many" continues ANIMALS AS LEADERS' experimentation with different styles and genres. Right off the bat, the first track "Arithmophobia" has a vaguely Indian raga sound that weaves its way through the song. "Ectogenesis" has a trance-like rhythm that sounds like something from an old-school sci-fi video game. The rest of the album shows a similar eclecticism from the influences upon which it draws in order to create interesting and engaging music that still retains its overall heavy metal sound.

This release continues in the same vein that fans of ANIMALS OF LEADERS desire from the band; instrumentally complex and rhythmically interesting, all whilst stylistically diverse, "Madness of Many" is a strong release, even though not the most memorable one.