In the kingdom of Sweden, a phoenix rises from the ashes and it is called, LOCH VOSTOK, an "extreme" Avantgarde/Melo-Death/Progressive Metal band set to release their latest album, "Strife", on November 24^th 2017. It is claimed to be their strongest album to date. Listening to LOCH VOSTOK is not an easy task. Their music is filled with intricacies and complexities, like most other Progressive bands. LOCH VOSTOK is a band that you either love or hate, there is no in between. They are extreme, after all. "Strife" is different compared to their previous album "From These Waters", which has a more Metalcore/Technical sound circulating around the Progressive Metal nucleus.

There are no boundaries on "Strife," although, the Djent style is used quite a bit. Not necessarily a bad thing, but it is an acquired taste and some may feel that Djent should be exclusive to MESHUGGAH. In the end, we can deduce that LOCH VOSTOK is a talented, transformative band. Fans of NEVERMORE, EVERGREY, and PERIPHERY will enjoy. "Babylonian Groove" kicks off the album and the name gives a great inkling as to how the track sounds. It is groovy as hell with pounds of heaviness punched in between.  The next inviting track is called; "Summer", which revs up with Djent rhythms, synthesizers, and progressing into KING DIAMOND-like high pitched wails and screams. The tempos dramatically change during the course of the song, ending it with a brilliant solo. Moving onto the next track, and my personal favorite on the album, is "The Apologists Are The Enablers", a more Melo-Death style melody with specks of Power Metal chords, Djent and brutal breakdowns. The vocals are powerful. "Cadence" opens up in your face with Djent beats and then it winds down with "Forever."

"Yurei" is a great track that exemplifies those complexities and intricacies that I aforementioned, with growling vocals and then transitions to "Purpose", using more Djent and keyboard with a nice combination of singing and raspy screams and it even had moments of Black Metal characteristics weaved into it. "Strife" closes out with a ballad called "Expiry Date of The Soul of Man", that feature soulful solos and simple, generic chords that fade out concluding the album. After all is said and done, if you are fan or Djent or not, this album is a must have. It is entertaining and brings all kinds of metal into light while staying true to their progressive core.<