Progressive metal visionaries from NeWBReeD return after several years of silence with a new, hypnotic single titled "Brotherhood," heralding their long-awaited new album "OutLaw," which will be released on October 31 through Selfmadegod Records. NeWBReeD was founded in November 1999 by brothers Tomasz and Stanisław Wołonciej. A year later, with bassist Paweł Gawłowski joining the lineup, the band released their debut demo, "Solitary." The band's newest creation, "OutLaw," was recorded during the sessions for their previous album Law. However, the band decided to postpone finishing it indefinitely while composing new material and rearranging older songs. In many ways, "OutLaw" can be seen as a continuation of "Law," but it is also the group's most experimental, melodic, spacious, refined, and cohesive record to date.

The album has ten songs, and "Brotherhood" is first. Smooth vocal harmonies materialize first, followed by a devastatingly heavy riff, and the contrast is striking. It's almost like two different songs, like trying to mix oil and water. "See…Know" has an energetic pace and here is where some of the Progressive elements shine in the meter. They hit every accent with deadly precision, although again, the melody from the vocals contrasts sharply with the music. The mixture takes some getting used to, that's for sure. For me, it sounds like band without a care about convention…truly exploring. "Sinusioda" has a bit of a more conventional riff, if that even makes sense in the wide-open scope of the album, and you can chew the meat off the bass notes.  The lead guitar breaks showcase the band's impeccable musicianship, and I get the sense they are just toying with me.

"Till Grave" is another energetic song with a driving beat, pummeling the listener as it drives right over their head. However, this time, the band rides out the melody line throughout the song. This isn't to say there aren't heavy moments. "I Promise to be Free" delves into the psychedelic realm, with trippy effects, and a slow, hypnotic pace. I get some ALICE IN CHAINS vibes here, especially the way the vocals are delivered. It's a very emotional song however, in a way that the others didn't dip too far into. "Edging the Real Life" goes back to thick animated bass notes, drums that match, and guitar dissonance. Again, the vocals are dreamy, and it's as it the nightmare is just out of your reach, but you can still see it.

"The Fake Twilight" has some sultry tones, and the band is covering about as many styles as possible. The slow pace is something your head will bob along to, and the vocal harmonies are a highlight, although the steel in the drums and the bottom end still grits its teeth and bears its fangs. "I Still Admire the World" uses psychedelic electronica to go along with the ethereal vocals. There is something oddly calm about the song, even know you feel it could turn on you without the slightest warning. "Fugitive" is the final track, and it's a combination of jarring dissonance with melody. The harsh vocals are unsettling, but the clean vocal leave you with a sense of warmth. Taken as a whole, it's an intriguing song that bridges the past with the present.

It seems as if NEWBREED re-wrote the book on how much music can be both comforting and jarring at the same time. They play with a fierce abandon…the kind that throws convention out the window along with the bathwater. Yet, each move seems calculated, amidst a sea of whatever might come their way. It's Metal, in every sense of that word, but they aren't afraid to bend the boundaries to the point of almost snapping. Consummate musicians, they almost seem to stroll through the album and come out clean on the other end of a maelstrom.