DRIFTGLASS - All That Remains
November 4, 2014, 10 years ago
(Independent)
Toronto-based progressive metal band, Driftglass, has its feet firmly planted in old school progressive rock while simultaneously embracing elements of catchy, modern heavy metal. On its first full-length album, All That Remains, the sextet shows off its diverse musical influences on its nine expansive tracks, recalling bands such as Pink Floyd, Dream Theater, Yes and Rush, to name a few. The band could easily play technical prog metal in its sleep, but they also display more friendly, commercial-sounding elements. Each song is decorated with loads of melody accompanied by profound and reflective lyrics, most notably on CD-opener “Insect In A Jar” when vocalist Alvin Ihsani utters, “You are still a prisoner/an insect in a jar/pressed against the glass.” There are so many great guitar moments throughout the disc performed by Gera Kisselman and Ilya Maximenko, while the haunting keyboard melodies from Andrei Zaretski add a dynamic dimension. Some of the tracks are a little too long and meander with too much prog wankery. But there’s always something catchy and melodic popping up on each track. The more I listen to this album, the more things I discover. It’s an enlightening and refreshing approach to modern progressive metal.
