Coming forward with something that has an intention on breaking the chains of normality usually it bears risks with it. That is the case with many Progressive Metal acts in the world of Metal music, and same goes for other genres as well. When a Metal band mixes attributes, whether from past and present or European and American or extreme and classic, the first reaction, from some people at least, is based on the grounds of talent. My reaction was equal to what I just described when I checked the debut album, "Process Of Progress", by the Canadian LETHAL HALO.

As it was mentioned by one of the magazine's reviewers in the past, it is hard to really define Progressive Metal as it can be perceived differently by listeners. However, when a band, just as LETHAL HALO, shifts its way from end to end with such ferocity, I think that they deserve to be recognized as complex, and as they clearly suggested, on the process of progress. In general, I was astonished by some of the development made here. Some of this band's material is truly unique as it crossed and broke so many boarders on its path. In addition, a part of the band's players left a positive inkling on me, especially the guitar players that did amazing works. Nevertheless, I couldn't really see it as a super album or the utter smooth commencement of something that I will hook myself into. Moreover, the melodic nature that the band argues to be behind is almost nonexistent.

It is not that I am being too traditional or anything, it is because that although LETHAL HALO came with an intent to be fresh, as I believe other bands share that similar objective in their minds, it was rather difficult to connect all the dots in their material. Not that you have to be a professor or an expert in progressive music to understand what is going on, but that album should have been a lot more flowing that what it is. The band's shifts between Metal subgenres in a few areas throughout the album made songs within a song. It was as if the complexity of the several of the tracks were created by several of segments sawn together thus making it hard to listen.

Although the album possessed some highly intelligent smashers as the immensely diverse epic like "Constantine", emotive "Lost In The Labyrinth"and the striking "Infected", I can honestly say that I like only segments within the remaining tracks. In the band's favor, the wish to broaden the musical horizons gave the opportunity for almost all types of Metalheads the chance to find themselves within this progress, yet to what end? Because the end result will be that they would stick to the subgenres they like.

That is why when LETHAL HALO will enter the studio to record their second release, they should be advised that they need to tightly infuse all of the selection of subgenres that they want to cling to and attaching those firmly into a big giant, yet stable, monster. "Process Of Progress" is as the title foretold, this crew is on its way to a sort of direction. I believe that this would be even a more strong achievement. Only time will tell.