I want to like this album, but I think I kind of don’t.

It’s frustrating—there are a lot of great ideas here, and clearly a lot of talent, but it just doesn’t hold together for me. This album feels all over the map.

I guess some people like this sort maximalist approach, but it feels too busy and overwrought to me. I should also note that prog metal never really appeals much to me, and there is quite a bit of that here; that’s part of what contributes to the everything-and-the-kitchen-sink aspect of this album.

Originally published at https://albumwhale.com/petebrown/2025-albums#album_51726.