SAMSARA CIRCLE is a synonym for full power and thoughtfulness, a metaphor for thrilling songs and sweaty live shows. Coming somewhere in between all of the finest of Classical Metal and all of the energy of modern Metal(Core), the raw dash of screaming is melting with epic melodies to an astounding whole. The band formed in 2010 and is based out of Germany. Following the release of a Demo in 2011, this is the band's first EP, and contains six tracks. "Forever Backwards" has a beautiful piano entrance that is soon joined by guitar heavy in Phaser effects and two long screams. The main riff is energetic and the vocals are done in both screaming and singing style. I would definitely categorize this as Metalcore in terms of its overall structure.

"Clouds" has an ethereal opening with the bass guitar parts and some background ambiance, slowly building with additional instrumentation until that first big riff that is capped off with a fitting lead guitar passage. It's a slower song that packs a lot of punch. "Cryo Chamber" comes at you more up front and steady. The vocals are particularly brutal here and there is a lower bottom end in the instrumentation. Once again they nail another little interlude that strays from the aggressiveness, adding just the right amount of texture. "Sundance" has a bit of a darker and suspenseful opening, like something evil lurking in the mist that you know is there but just cannot see. The main riff and melody however are much more jovial in nature, but they circle back to the opening mood in a reprise at the end of the song.

By contrast, the title track "Sanctum" doesn't really disguise anything. It's straight as an arrow in its delivery and at times reminds me of Danish band MERCENARY. The chorus is big and full bodied with melody. Closing the album is the seven minute "A Fire on the Oceans Ground." It toggles between several different sound passages and riffs and seems to continue to keep picking up as it goes on, before the complete change of pace interlude around the five minute mark. Soft, echoing acoustic guitar notes combine with clean vocals and light lead guitar that eventually build back to the main sound, ending in a nice crescendo. I really, really like the somewhat unconventional approach that the band uses in terms of the piano, keys and other background ambiance that set a mood to the melodies. The brutal elements are obviously present but not overbearing, allowing their songwriting to shine. I would definitely be interested to hear more from this band in the future.