ECLIPTIC

Ecliptic is a US black metal act formed in 1998 by Markus Hampel (guitar/vocals) and Sidney Mortensen (drums/percussion), and As of Yet Unknown is their brand new CD release. Rounding out the line-up for the album is lead guitarist Virgil Snyder and bassist Augustus Madder. As of Yet Unknown is melodic and quite progressive, the band seemingly quite influenced by acts such as Enslaved, Opeth, Emperor, as well as early Metallica. Though black metal is pretty close to what they are accomplishing here, it's hard to categorize the band, as there's plenty of death metal, thrash, and progressive metal elements going on as well. A tune like "Limitations" has plenty of well placed riffs and effective vocal shrieks, while "The Five Ways" is classic sounding Norwegian styled black metal through and through. On "Sleep of Reason" the band mix brutal thrash and death metal riffs into their pummeling attack, and "Emergence" features a wide assortment of progressive tendencies, including some gorgeous acoustic guitar work. In fact, Ecliptic splatter bits of acoustic guitar throughout the CD, and it adds a great element to their already varied sound.

It's great to see so many of these new exteme metal acts, such as Be'Lakor, Martriden, Gwynbleidd, Wolves in the Throne Room, and now Ecliptic, inject a healthy dose of progressive elements into their black & death metal styles. Metal needs some fresh sounds, and these bands are certainly delivering it. This one's a keeper-seek it out.



Reviewed by: Peter Bardo