Vodka. When I try and come up with reasons why Finland has so many metal bands ranging from melodic to progressive black all I can think of is vodka. I know I'm being insensitive and bordering on xenophobia, but damn, they love their metal there. LAZY BONEZ is just fuel for my argument. When I first listen to an album I try and get a feel of what the band is about and trying to accomplish. Second listen is when I pull out my critical ear and see where their weakness is. (and hopefully offer some insight into what can be done to fix it) Can't find any here, whether it's the harmonic guitars of Markku Mahonen and Mikko Niiranen on "War of the Roses" or the sonic wall  created by keyboardists Janne Tolsa and Heikki Polvinen who do a beautiful job of not only creating an ambiance for the song such as in "Slaves of the Dark" but also coming to the forefront in "Fire", there never seems to be a part out of place.

Holding this all together are Jaakko Kauppinen near perfect bass lines and the rock solid thunder coming off the drum set of Topi Kosonen whose tom work is spot on, never interfering but always emphasizing. Put all these ingredients together and you give vocalist Tommi "Tuple" Salmela free reign to unleash his mighty pipes. The talent of this band truly shines in "Forever Young", which is funny because this band is polished from years of playing and performances, whether in this band or other projects. The band pulls off some amazing change ups too, such as in "Poseidon" sliding from tempo change to tempo change and seamlessly into solos (a trait shown through-out the album) Their composition skills are highly evolved too, writing complex multi part pieces ("Smile" shows this off) that could very easily be transcribed to full symphonic glory.

The mix and production of this recording is top notch, and even at cat shaking volumes (no cats actually shaken) it comes out crisp and clear, every note distinguishable. Musically it was interesting and kept me listening. Too many times a group of skilled musicians get together and it becomes a musical wank fest, but it seems that regardless of ego, LAZT BONEZ has come together to make really good music and it feels like they have fun doing it.