Degree Absolute Degree Absolute

I have been listening to this album for over a week now, listening to it on/off, on my way back and forth to work, really trying my best to get to terms with this debut album from American band Degree Absolute. And to say I am torn apart is an understatement, because I really don't know what to think!

My initial though was that the album was very unbalanced and my first impressions weren't wrong!
- On one hand we have 5 very interesting songs: "Exist", "Laughing Alone", "Questions", "Pi" & "Ask Nothing of Me", which are all very technically and very well executed progressive metal songs. Bands like Watchtower and a harder version of Fares Warning comes to mind.
- On the other hand we have 4 songs: "Distance", "HalfManHalfBiscuit", "Ergo Sum" & the hidden tenth track, which drift into ambient metal area, with some slight Tiamat/The Gathering feelings to them.
- The last song "Confession" is sort of a mix, ending up being an OK ballad.

It is very clear we are dealing with some very talented and skilful musicians, a good production - the mix has been carried out by none other than Neil Kernon - does help a lot, but we do end up with a very uneven album, most the album is borderline exceptional and if the entire album had been like that, then this album would have received a very high rating, but on the other hand the ambient songs end up in the other end of the scale... really a shame.

So all in all, this has to be a pleasing experience with some boring set-backs and I know, which direction I hope they will take on their next album, because the band shows with those 5 songs, just how great a potential they possess in this area. As for the ambient stuff, well I could easily have done without it, but take a listen and make up your own mind...