(Progressive Metal) [CD] Outworld - Outworld (Reissued-2013) - 2006, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This is one of those albums man. One of those albums that you listen to exclusively for weeks because everything else you try to listen to seems bland in comparison. This is the kind of album that you listen to from start to finish and every adjective that runs through your mind is an expression of glee, discovery, and amazement. It's a spiritual experience listening to an album like this, what can I say.

As soon as track one begins it's easy to make note of the clear and powerful production, the speed, and the quality of the riffs being thrown at you. These guys really know what they're doing, and they sure as shit know how to write a song. The tempos, time signatures, grooves, and the feelings portrayed in every song are constantly changing. The opening track "Raise Hell" has so many mood changes I finally understand the meaning of emotional roller coaster. It goes from subtle, to angry, to inspirational. The great thing about this album is that not only the vocalist, but the musicians contribute greatly to the emotions felt while listening.

For a great album to be a great album, every track must be a winner. Every track must be executed brilliantly! Every single verse and chorus must hit you in just the right spot. This is why creating a great album isn't something every band can say they've done. Outworld is a band that can, with pride and assurance, say that they've created an outstanding album.

This album quite simply put: has it all! The riffs from beginning to end are just awesome heavy metal riffs! Shit, this album even has bass solos! From 2:57 to 3:17 on track 4 ("Outworld") there is a funky bass solo that leads straight into some heavy as fuck heavy metal riffs. It's as if when they were writing the songs for this album they made it a goal of theirs to ensure every member stands out. If they had that in mind, they surely achieved it. Rusty Cooley's guitar solos are all blazingly fast, well written, and solidly executed. That guitar tone is to fucking die for too! The sweeps that open "Riders" are pumped through some of the most exquisite tone I've heard in metal! The vocals on this album are some of the finest I've heard in metal! This guy's voice is so fucking powerful! The verses on "War Cry" are capable of inducing heart attacks I think. I know I almost had one! And while we're on the topic, can I say that "War Cry" is one of the best metal songs I've ever heard? This is the kind of song that pumps you up so much you cannot stay still or relax while it's playing. In typical "amazing album" style though, the mood changes for the chorus and makes you weep. This album really fucks with your mind using it's sheer quality.

Well I think I've said enough. When you put this album on, expect to hear some amazing heavy metal! The vocals are exceedingly powerful, the solos are exceedingly fast, the riffs are exceedingly awesome, there are bass solos, and the drumming is top notch. There's really no flaws with this album.

Kelly Sundown Carpenter - vocals
Rusty Cooley - guitars
Bobby Williamson - keyboards
Shawn Kascak - bass
Matt McKenna - drums