Contrary to its complex nature, progressive metal in the last few years has devolved into a predictable beast, with endless clones of clones aping well worn trends. But thanks to bands like Cog, such stagnancy is stabbed in the gut and left for dead. Composed of six guys reared in thrash and death metal, in the last half decade Cog has grown into an ever more colorful rainbow that combines familiar uptempo savagery with layers upon layers of gentler sounds and elegant flourishes. Just don't expect copious amounts of aural masturbation here akin to Dream Theatre or The Dillinger Escape Plan. Despite the sheer breadth of the soundscape they inhabit, Cog are quite the streamlined unit.

Similar to most humongous albums, their sophomore release 'Culling' starts off gently on 'Dissolve' and the heavier tremors only arrive after the listener's ears have been lathered in honey dewed notes. Pulling a 180 on its second track, 'Promethean' showcases how versatile Cog are when they fall back on their thrash roots. It's a hardcharging number full of venom and vinegar, only eclipsed once the meandering 'Illumination' blunders in and knocks over furniture. As the album moves forward, the songs melt into one another and while this may spell failure for other bands, Cog actually succeed at painting a vivid picture of their own world. Take what Opeth and Orphaned Land achieve in their albums. The sound is lush and elegant, albeit given a few rough edges for metal's sake.

A wonderful, wonderful interlude titled 'The Sky Is Falling' comes loaded with ambience and soothes battered ears until the album's latter half engulfs your speakers. The tracks 'So Be It' and 'The Onus' summon a firestorm of thrash and post-hardcore before the laid back 'Calliope' casts its spell. It's the most chill tune on 'Culling' and marks the beginning of the end. Once it wraps, a humongous backing choir an a tidal wave of instrumentation, which includes a saxophone, take over until the dramatic outro 'Congeal'. The album is indeed quite a ride, but it's best to spin it several times more for a solid grasp of its intricacies. More than just recommended, Cog have given the world an underground gem.

Rating: 9½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Miguel Miranda
05/15/2010 23:53