Finnish band, PRESSURE POINTS, released the 6 (lengthy) track album "False Lights" in August, following on from their first album, 2010's "Remorses to Remember".

The opening track, "Wreckage", is a tasty appetizer for the journey you are about to embark on. Janne Parikka's bold bassline is soon accompanied by guitars that swell and swim. "Wreckage" beautifully delivers clean vocals and growls and an array of guitar sounds, twisted round a few interesting time signatures.

"Sleepwalk" is a track I found bizarrely intriguing. I wasn't initially sold on the sound in the beginning of the song. It's grown on me however and I'm picking it as one of my favourite tracks from the album. There are some amazing sparkle sounds that were plucked directly from the 80's and this threw me, but I'm out the other side and they are perfectly placed, balancing a track that matures and flourishes into a beast all within 9 minutes and 20 seconds.

"Dance of Coincidence" explores some different themes, contributing to a diverse album. I'll be honest, any flash of classical music terrifies me, always has. This track opens with Veli-Matti Kyllönen's keyboards and they feature heavily throughout. It is a beautiful song; it almost sounds like it is documenting a vicious war within itself.

This album is very nicely constructed. So much care has been put in to crafting exquisite tones and soundscapes. There are points that are calling out for a little more building up with adventurous harmonies, I was almost aching for it. "False Lights" has a feel that is almost completely modern and contemporary, however there is no denying there is a massive 70's prog influence in here.

One aspect of this album that I really enjoyed is that it is unpredictable. I found myself startled more than once during my first listen due to chord choices and I appreciated being challenged that way.

They have their own thing going on, so I'm not going to liken them to OPETH, but I will say if you are a fan, you should be interested in hearing PRESSURE POINTS. "False Lights" is a well crafted album, an interesting take on a genre that can become so derivative and an enjoyable listen. <