Amidst the storm of new sound, a behemoth comes forth; meet the hailstorm that is BRIDGE OF DIOD. With their newest full-length offering, "Of Sinners And Madmen", this band brings us a gem of experimental and avant-garde metal that wows at every turn. At moments, echoing the art of ANTHRAX; at other times, teetering towards the prog rock tendencies of artists such as RUSH or DREAM THEATER, this is an album not to be missed. BRIDGE OF DIOD has that special and uncanny ability to share with us something fresh and new, whilst keeping true to its obvious heavy metal roots. This album takes you, shakes you, and never lets go.

The record opens with the track "Story Of A Madman", which is a perfect starting point, as it eases back on the heaviness found elsewhere on the album, and shines a light on the musicianship you are about to endure. Arpeggiated bass lines, guitars racing through multiple octaves one string at a time, drums just leaking with technical mastery, and a unique vocal style all meld together to form a new, intimidating, and rigid creature the likes of which humanity has never witnessed before. All of this culminates into what track two, "Drops Of Rain", brings forth: A truly wonderful progressive metal assault. The vocals are full of emotion, the beats are on point, and the guitar work is simply pure wizardry. The heaviness of this song is palpable, and it proves to be quite the stage setter for what is to come.

"Back From Limbo", the third entry on BRIDGE OF DIOD "Of Sinners And Madmen", is nothing short of anthem material. With its chopping bridges and its mystifying chorus, this song marches like a soldier of one through a war-torn battlefield, flashing its multi-layered petticoat as it slays all in its path. While all of the throwback metal surfacing in the scene as of late, many bands have strayed away from a more progressive sound. Those who have tampered with such an idea usually fail to see it through to fruition. BRIDGE OF DIOD have gone both above and beyond, exhibiting no fear in doing so. Their sound is theirs alone, and the result is a fantastically produced and perfectly executed album that shifts gears whenever it so desires, yet never shows a lack of competency or understanding as it travels down the road of its own creation.

Song after song, "Of Sinners And Madmen" makes it virtually impossible for one to hit the "stop" or "skip track" button. Filled to the brim with a captivating metal rage, and able to change its tune with the shifting winds, this record is clearly beyond well thought out, and gives the listener such an enjoyable experience by its close that the only button one might think of pushing as its end draws near is "repeat all". There is no question here; BRIDGE OF DIOD aim to please with this one, and their aim is true. A bona fide monster of a progressive metal album!