One of the most acclaimed bands in metal and undoubtedly one of its hardest-working, INTO ETERNITY borrows from all aspects of heavy music to form the perfect blend of technicality, memorable songwriting, traditional heavy metal and the sheer savagery of metal's extreme genres. Founded in Regina, Sasketchewan by guitarist Tim Roth in the late '90's, INTO ETERNITY seamlessly melds the seemingly disparate worlds of extreme metal, hooky hard rock and challenging progressive music. Metal fans around the globe have hailed the technical prowess displayed on such critically acclaimed albums as "Dead or Dreaming," "Buried In Oblivion," and "The Scattering of Ashes," as well as the virtuosity displayed during their tours with the likes of MEGADETH, DREAM THEATER, LAMB OF GOD, OPETH, SYMPHONY X, and ICED EARTH. "The Sirens" contains eight tracks.

The title track leads us off, a nearly eight-minute opus, opening with charming piano notes and a bit of symphony. It slowly builds into the blast of a technical riff in a Classical scale, with some thunderous work on the skins by Newbury. At first we hear aggressive Death vocals over equally heavy and aggressive instruments. Then some cleans for spell, until the Death vocals return with a vengeance, and an extended instrumental passage takes us to completion. "Fringes of Psychosis" opens with a somber piano and guitar sequence, with some really pretty lead work. The vocals are edgy...reminds me a bit of the legendary Rob Halford. The song then does a 180 into some very fanciful instrumental arrangements with a firey lead guitar solo.

"Sandstorm" is much shorter and more succinct, and sticks to one main sound overall...a heavy, gritty riff with plenty of emotion. Until the end, when some deeper Death vocals take over. "This Frozen Hell" opens with harmonized guitars and some steady time keeping by Newbury. It's a little closer to the annals of Power Metal I would have to say...a hasty sound with varied vocals. They really tear things up in the extended instrumental passage and take your breath away with the advanced techniques they are showing. "Nowhere Near" opens with alluring acoustical guitars and some harmonized clean vocals. Let it just take you away, as it starts to unravel your fears and insecurities. Become lost in the haunting message. It's quaint but very effective.

Sarcopenia is the degenerative loss of skeletal muscle mass due to aging. "Devoured by Sarcopenia" is another offering in the Power Metal genre that bounces around with several different passages; some melodious and others angry and aggressive. "Fukushima" opens with a quick dual harmonic vocal sequence before the main riff kicks in. It's suspenseful and a bit mysterious sounding. The dual harmonies return in the chorus. Their might and power is amazing here but it's hard to find that common thread that you can latch onto. "The Scattering of Ashes" closes them album on a bright but somber tone, like the gradual fading of a beautiful sunset. The vocals are earnest and this track puts everything else in place.

Overall, the album is a stone cold reflection of the amazing skill that the band has as a whole. They adeptly move to and fro on the turning of a dime, exploring unexpected territory that will catch you off guard in nearly every song. The trouble is that I sometimes had difficulty following where they were going, or how it fit into the song as a whole. I suppose this is from my incessant need to overly think everything. If I take a step back, the material is really quite outstanding.