CHASING DOTS is the instrumental progressive metal project of guitarist and composer George Karayiannis. The whole EP refers to the concept of seeing things from the perspective of unity. Past and present exist, but for the future to exist not only time-wise, but as something evolutionary and greater than today, we have to make the "we" stand as a unit. The point he aims to make is that maybe we have to acknowledge a philosophy that "I was you". The whole EP to be about the journey of self-awareness and self-improvement. This journey looks and can be as chaotic as "chasing dots" but as the dots connect, they create a bigger picture, a clearer more manageable picture. The EP contains five tracks.

"Untold" leads us off with a funky groove and a Progressive meter. While the rhythm guitar dances steadily underneath, the lead takes over with wonderful legato notes that warm you from the inside. A reserved passage changes things up and it crescendos towards the end with a flurry of lead guitar notes. It's a very positive sound and something that will make you feel alive. "Colourblind" continues in this regard. It has a great main riff with plenty of affirmative tones and just the right amount of guitar pyrotechnics. George plays with near perfect tone and timing, and the addition of keys is more than welcomed. The ambient passage is just beautiful, and it really ties in the melody quite well. It slowly stars to djent and then ends with a powerfully heavy sound.

"Matter of Perception" slows things down into a breezy song that just gently blows your hair back as you get into the groove. It has some darker passages however, that remind you of the story of the EP to begin with...how the journey of self-awareness is not always about rainbows and unicorns...you must confront and work through your darkness as well. "I Was You" is a curious little side-song in the story. It's just some meditative six-string work that you can connect with easily, turning quite dark at the end. "Past.Present.We." wraps up the tale, with a pensive song that is quite pretty. George gently climbs the fretboard before the main sound hits, with vigor and a renewed energy, like the subject has become self-aware and is happy to celebrate his new found revelation. The ending is a proclamation of this revelation.

I love the concepts presented here, and they are reflected very well within the music itself. Mostly positive, but somewhat introspective and dark at times, it reflects the journey of a soul through self-awareness and self-improvement. George is a masterful composer, and I find myself wishing there was more to the EP. But in the song presented, he displays a keen sense of rhythm, timing, and melody that is hard to find out there. When he unleashes just a bit, you can really hear his expertise on the guitar and it is extraordinary. But, he focuses more on the songwriting than his physical skills to give you something that is really special to listen to.