After coming across a massive number of US Metal classics, surging through the heydays of the 80s, while crossing to a good number of examples forged in the 90s, which were obviously bound to Thrash, extreme Metal or even towards the Alternative, I finally found a great fortune in this unearthly band from New England called EARTHSIDE. In its special way, EARTHSIDE represents the advancement of Metal music, crossing into the layers of progression, which have been a part of the genre for so long, but upgrading the intensity with elements that can be found within the dramatism of the cinema.

I think that best suitable expression that I can come up with regarding their new album "A Dream In Static" is basically an out of body experience. Like two great forces clashing together in a bloody fight for survival, I felt that EARTHSIDE are everywhere, creating this wonderful ambience and spirit that are barely noticed in the series of Progressive or Djent or other sorts of modern Metal exports. Whether through instrumental passages of epic proportions, or the usage of a profound live orchestra, or across extraordinary song eposes highly driven by highly made vocalic explorations, I deem "A Dream In Static" to be a sort of a redeemer. Like a catapult aiming to obliterate the old barriers between the genres of Metal, at least of those that aren't surrounding the extreme fold. Scattered sentences as those may be, this album is way too constructive to describe, and one has to feel its aura in order to reach to a better perspective.

Though it is not easy to pinpoint a specific highlight within the tracklist, which is unbelievable and should be tuned several times to comprehend the band's conceptual showcase, I think I will make an effort. "A Dream In Static", the album's title track, is the supreme specimen. Immersed by a strong musical sense, which is like the album itself is almost everywhere, is joined by the vocals of TESSERACT frontman, Daniel Tompkins. On top of the world is just a mere decree of how this song is so powerful. I bet one would also feel charged while listening to "Mob Mentality", featuring the iconic vocals of SEVENDUST's Lajon Witherspoon, "Crater", featuring SOILWORK's Björn Strid and the heavenly epic "Contemplation Of The Beautiful" welcoming Eric Zirlinger of FACE THE KING. After listening to the album time and time again, I understood quite clearly why these vocalists were chosen and how their atmospheric delivery made the songs even more special. As for an instrumental adventure, without a doubt that "Skyline" takes them all, simply a varied track, thundering through modern edge heaviness but its true energy is actually driven from its softer segments.

This is coming from a Traditional Metal fan ladies and gentleman, to be everywhere, that is what I believe EARTHSIDE have been wishing to accomplish, and their will be done so it seems. Pick yourself a futuristic film, and let this album be your soundtrack, it will rattle your mind.