Metal maniacs, rejoice! I am proud to present to you: ODDLAND; signed via Uprising Records, hailing from Finnish grounds - performing Progressive Rock/Metal, on their 3rd full-length album entitled: "Vermilion" (released March 11th, 2022). Since formation in 2003; the quartet in question have 2 demos entitled: "Connection Critical Behind" (released in 2007) and "Away From The Watching Eye" (released March 13th. 2010). 2 singles entitled: "Feed The Void" (released October 29th, 2021) & "Unity" (released December 10th, 2021) among 3 full-length albums entitled: "The Treachery Of Senses" (released April 30th, 2012), "Origin" (released September 9th, 2016) & "Vermilion" of which I am introduced to in their discography so far. 8 tracks ranging around 38:52, ODDLAND arranges an intricately designed formula on some heavy-hitting Progressive Rock/Metal amalgamations.

Opening up with this pianist wave of synth ridden melody; "Vermilion Pt. 1: Arrival" begins the record with a bass flickering thump, until this trumpet remedy blows angelically with sublime etherality. Advancing into "Vermilion Pt. 2: Below" a DJenty-esque rift towers with gripping bounciness, boisterously injecting an infectiously primitive stridency on venomously volatile transitions of punchy weight & meaty jumpiness. Sakari Ojanen on vocals/guitars distills a flamboyant progression on technical vehemence while twinning virtuosity with Jussi Poikonen swerve their guitars into a barrage frenzy of rampantly rompy calamity; forging an amplified hook of stompy piledrives, Joni Palmroth on bass also belts out this stompy yet thunderous hybrid in experimental immersivity. While rambunctious drumming from Ville Viitanen clobbers eardrums into a bulldozing slab of solid slams that surge with sturdy thuds, vibrant potency & slaying grinds for good measure.

With the lineup out of the way; the vocals unleash a high-pitched stability of pipes that range with clean execution, guttural grunts and bellowing yells. Making this very varied, "Vermilion Pt. 3: The Walls Of The Mind" attributes an intriguing fabrication on sulfurous rhythms that manifest with this daunting but eerie atmosphere in concept form... while those persistent melodies snare with majestic yet mythical ramifications on symphonic moods, fusing a dexterously dynamic entrance in deadly nimbleness & swiftly archaic expertise as killer firepower drills a chiseling archetype of thrilling maelstrom momentum within "Vermilion Pt. 4: Feed The Void". This zestful wave of spectral contortion distorts a elegantly exquisite conundrum in mystifying transparency, where this tremoring synergy unearths other-worldly but lofty contrast in celestial chaos, as dazzling efficaciousness charms me more & more.

"Vermilion Pt. 5 Emancipator" has this kaleidoscopic but aerial versatility to it; as an enthralling but planetary strike pursuits with spacy spirituality, while those pristine cords chug out this uplifting serenity to it. Hearing this live would be a spectacle in itself, as a harboring artillery demonstrates a dainty but holy ritual of sweetly & saintly finesse. As we move on to "Pathway", more profusely robust melancholy salubriously materializes this hypnotizing but spellbinding tempo with this short but alluring interlude, while the penultimate wonder "Resonance" concretely chops out more of those razor-sharp riffs that morph with intensifying but radically wicked piercings. Pumping out prodigiously prestigious but clamorous interjections of rapidly agile craftsmanship ability, as handy versatility utilizes proficiently provides skillful jingles that marvel within my soul with marvelous excellency.

Overall concluding "Vermilion" with the finale epic: "Unity" I found that this experience was not overrun with hour long similarities; yet the time length of it is perfect where lots of these conceptual grandeurs can certainly overstay their welcome with other bands, this however is spot on. Bottom line; ODDLAND delivered a grandiose element in implementing a diverse array of rich varieties on the Prog landscape with genius implant AND effect, if you're looking for a distinctively distinguished experience and discovery that will enchant eardrums, souls & speakers with fashionable instrumentation - this surely will rock your world. Worthy of spinning and replaying a good few times, make sure you check it out.