CAVEAT: Alchemy (PROGRESSIVE METAL,Thrash): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Caveat is a quintet coming from Calgary in Canada. Born from the ashes of Blacksky, Caveat takes over 3/4 of the line up with Joe Sikorski on guitar, Casey Rogers behind the drums and Greg Musgrave on guitar and death vocals. Clear vocals are provided by Amanda Marie Bourdon, and Matt Peti with his bass joins the band in 2015. After 20 years of existence and 3 and a half albums (one EP in 2005), Caveat comes to install their technical progressive metal in our playlists at the beginning of this year.

With an essentially black/death and progressive background, the Canadians naturally evolve in a technical and progressive death, but not only. Amanda Marie Bourdon's very singular clear voice creates a unique atmosphere and the double vocals participate a lot to the musical signature of the band. The compositions, although technical, never fall into the demonstration and the accent is put on the story that the songs tell and magnifies the musical atmosphere that each title gives off.

Among the obvious influences, let's note Opeth for the death prog, Cynic for the technical and abundant compositions or Meshuggah for the brutality of the heaviest riffs. If it is a good summary of the sounds which are present in this "Alchemy", Musgrave also claims a research of musical experimentations of which 'Black Mirror', inspired by the series of the same name, is the ideal ambassador with its tortuous scheme, its dissonant melodies and incessant rhythmic ruptures. 'Ghost' takes over the same pattern with a more marked melodic aspect and growls in retreat which support the vocal of Amanda.

The riffs are very jerky on most of the tracks, voluntarily bringing an oppressive atmosphere. It is notably the case of 'Alchemy' which gives its name to the album, supported by a very present rhythmic which reminds the duo Chancelor/Carey of Tool by its diversity and the snoring sound which it brings. We will only regret that the album offers few breaths or more muffled atmospheres as on the splendid break of 'Until Dawn', the only mid-tempo and yet one of the most outstanding tracks, displaying a final of a beautiful emotional and melodic mastery.

Caveat continues its way with a nice "Alchemy" which establishes a little more the band in the field of technical progressive metal. It lacks perhaps a little variety to make it go further. But "Alchemy" is an excellent way to enter the universe of Caveat and certainly its most accomplished album. - Official website

CAVEAT

ALCHEMY

ASHER MEDIA

PROGRESSIVE METAL