KAERULEAN has present to us a new take on Melodic Death Metal that sprinkles a healthy dash of Symphonic. The two styles spend a lot of time fighting for dominance throughout the album, but the sound they create is something unique and unexpected. Two years after their sophomore release "Metempsychosis", their first EP "The Orwellian Dream" now rises and seeks to dominate. Inspired by such classic mind control manipulation organizations and stories such as 1984, A Clockwork Orange, Project MK Ultra, and Brave New World. The subject matter inspires clever wordplay for the titles of each song ("The Human Conditioned", "Machiavellian Candidate").

First up, "The Human Conditioned" rockets out of the unplumbed depths, spewing thousands of rabid, dissonant roaring beasts forth. KAERULEAN's Symphonic side fights to breech the toxic surface like a melodic leviathan now and again and it's an important touch in that it doesn't take you out of the crushing Thrash sounds so there's no whiplash. Interludes of Jazzy bass get drowned by Adrian Pagano's vocals. "Subterfugue" subtle use of synth and backing choir against walls of harsh, heady chords is reminiscent of ATROCITY.

"Machiavellian Candidate" is equally intimidating and theatrical in its delivery. Theremins and synthesizers to add a certain 'mad circus' touch to the song. An earth-shaking bridge into the final song rounds it out. "Perception Lost" is the final, dramatic finish that aims to go out with a bang with a funeral symphony and lamenting vocals. "The Orwellian Dream" is a lot more aggressive than KAERULEAN's predecessors "Adrift" and "Metempsychosis". While "Metempsychosis" saw KAERULEAN experiment more with spine-crushing riffs, "The Orwellian Dream" sought to distribute their melodic side more evenly.

KAERULEAN's epic style of Death meets Symphonic is a unique one that makes a whole lot of sense; a deadly match in Metal heaven. Listen to "The Orwellian Dream" to have your soul stomped out of you, but with a touch of elegance.