Caught In a Wheel is the second release from Finland's Elenium, a very intriguing progressive death metal band who show tons of promise here on this heavy yet symphonic affair. Though it's got all the trappings of a solid death metal album (plenty of effective growls, pounding drums, and brutal guitar riffs), the addition of not only orchestral keyboard colorings but wild synth solos adds just the right amount of proggy flavor to Caught In a Wheel. Guitar wise, expect flashy solos and massive crunch, as they guys know how to play their axes, and during tracks like "Of the Man Who Died" (a real moody & atmospheric number), keys duel with the guitars much like what you would hear on a progressive metal album. The venemous vocals from J on cuts such as "Twelve" , "Human", "Trail of Beggars", and the great title track, bring to mind vintage Amon Amarth, Cryptopsy, or Amorphis, and when you throw in the multitude of keys and layers of complex guitar work, it really makes for one special CD.
Honestly, one of the best things about this business is getting a hold of a recording from a young band who show an enormous amount of potential, and then watching where their career goes from that point. I'll be keeping an eye on Elenium, and you should too.
Track Listing
1. Intro
2. Human
3. Challenger of Gravity
4. The Escalator
5. Of the Man Who Died
6. Twelve
7. Caught in a Wheel
8. Trail of Beggars
9. Eyes Grow Colder
10 Velocity
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