Progressive Metalcore?  This is a thing now? Well, it better be because I'm pleasantly shocked about this album and how good it is.  This band took me out of my comfort zone, pulled me back in, and slammed my body into a brick wall.  It has riffs that feature the down tune style of Metalcore but they are played in weird and oddly timed ways.  What is happening?  I'm very confused but I'm glad I am. This is actually just the second album for NEXT TO NONE but you can't tell at all; it so damn refined and they play beyond their years, as if they are on their 12^th album.  As you probably know, the drummer Max, is the son of Mike Portnoy (if you don't know who that is, just turn off your computer) and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree at all; its very evident that he is well on his way to becoming a legend just like his father.  I don't want to take away from the other band members though....everyone here has immense talent and at such a young age too.  Can you be born with experience?  Of course not but they sure make me think I'm wrong.

There is just so much to listen to in every song, the depth of this album is outstanding.  Even on the few shorter tracks, "The Apple," and "Beg," they fit more in a song than most.  "Beg," in particular is insane.  The furious assault of the riffs expand as the song moves along; by the end of the two minutes or so they feel like rubber bands expanding inside your head.  Derrick seems to grasp how to play technical and keep it interesting.   The clever use of old western style clean keyboards adds a random but unique touch to the song.   In addition to all that, the vocalist, Thomas, is spitting his lyrics out like a rabid wolverine.  Oh did I mentioned he is the one playing keys?  Vocally, "The Apple," is straight up Metalcore sometimes, with the melodic clean vocals that have a sort of pop punk feel to him.  But he can also scream and growl with the best of them. In short, he is one versatile and talented vocalist.  Hell, there is even what sounds like record scratching in the background.  Is this a long lost SLIPKNOT song?  No because that band doesn't have MESHUGGAH style guitar riffs, which is what this song has.  The constant melding of Metalcore and Prog is a shipwreck of badassness.

The highlight is the final track "The Wanderer," and the almost 20 minutes of music contained within.   It's a furious assault for about eight and half minutes but then it really takes a turn and slows down with a wonderful clean keyboard section that is quite moving. Thomas's low croon here is wonderful, proving how great of a singer he can be. It picks back up and crushes everything in its path.  As he did throughout the previous tracks, bassist Kris really lays down a great foundation; it's definitely a Prog attack but it's still focused enough to keep the rhythm going.  I could probably go on and on about this until my fingers bleed but it would be better for you to just listen and absorb this musical gift.  A truly stunning and standout effort from a band that will hopefully continue to grow into the legends I know they have the potential to be.