Sieges Even - Steps (1990)

Okay headbangers, try getting your curly locks around this muddled mess of orgasmically complex metal. This sort of stuff should carry a warning - not to be listened to by those expecting catchy, straight forward melodies. This may not be as alienating as the giddy technology of Watchtower, but this is dazzling progressive rock that bubbles, festers and jolts more times than an electric chair victim. How can we pin this down for a description ? Well, it's nigh on impossible because it is so complex, it's no wodner bands like Cynic and Dream theatre exist, and this jumbled box of tricks is up there with them. Although relatively dreamy, Sieges Even are also bewildering in their approach, the bass floats, twists and funks it up yet seems seemingly out of time with thye elusive guitars which steer away from the awkward, inconsistent drums to produce and almost Mr Bungle-esque, jazzed up mish-mash of sounds, and let's not even talk about the vocals. Surem they are crystal clear, but they too skip and hop like an electrocuted bird on a hot wire, never settling in one place. Play a track like 'Disintegration Of Lasting Hope' as many times as you want, but it'll fry the senses and disfigure the ears in its chaotic yet somehow orderly enius. Some prog fans will compare these disjointed soundscapes to the likes of Rush, but all I can really say for certain is that a track like 'Apotheosis' is almost within comparison. You've got more chance of headbanging to Britney Spears than this, because I guarantee that after giving 'Steps' a few spins, your head won't stop spinning and your bones will feel like they've been twisted. A superb record, for those who are happy to mix the jarring assault of Cynic, Mr Bungle, Rush, Dream Theatre, Watchtower, Atheist et al. Now, where are those headache tablets... 8/10