A Progressive Metal band born of a Black Metal background... What say you? "What?" indeed. Instrumental solo project originating from the mind of guitar wizard, Lawrence Wallace, his CREATION is a piece of work to behold. Originally released in 2012, the album was reissued upon signing to Horror Pain Gore Death Productions. Interestingly enough, it has a somewhat dated production quality about it considering it's modern-day inception, but this only adds to its lustre, evocative of older FATES WARNING or SYMPHONY X albums.

"Ground Zero" fittingly commences the album. By suitable account, the arrangement alone is a work of art, with instruments blended in such a way that they flow in unison and are yet juxtaposed. This track is comprised of what appears to be a majority of driving rock riffs, but bursts open with Progressive, explosive flashes, edged with leads and solos that are difficult to comprehend; the shred work itself reminds me of Ioannis Anastassakis' work. The final minute-and-a-half on the album is perhaps one of the finest moments you'll hear on the record. "Off Road" is a well-planned opposite. The riffs are definitely more metallic in nature, overall; thick and complex grooves are present. The lilting, soaring-into-sonisphere guitar ambience is still present in the background, though with a much heavier chunkiness to the rhythm section, it's carried on a much stockier beast. Some of the most technical and astoundingly beautiful lead work on the album is found here; I find myself rewinding and rewinding the final minute.

"Mirrors" is a truly peculiar track, most of the first half comprised of an amorphous, shapeless, ever-changing ambience with conflicting melodies that flicker and bounce away from eachother; if I didn't have synesthesia before, I have it now. That is how evocative this piece is. Eventually the guitar starts to pick up and some heavy riffage is rolled out. What strikes me, time and time again, are the utterly weird chord progressions used. Honestly, a lot of my favorite Prog ends up turning into background noise, that I could enjoy in its effervescent presence, but is catchy and followable enough to stay put. However, LAWRENCE'S CREATION never stays in one place, distracting you from all else. "A Thousand Words" sees the album finally being brought down in tempo, and is wrought with universally-spanning riffs and wailing melodies that are just as catchy as powerful as any, quite frankly, unnecessary vocals.

That is perhaps the beauty of this music at it's core: the guitar speaks its own voice with an unchained sentience. I cannot wait for new material.