(Technical/Progressive Metal/Shred) Abnormal Thought Patterns - Дискография (2011-2015), 3 CD, MP3, 320 kbps

Ever wonder what Jasun Tipton does when he's not recording with Cynthesis and Zero Hour? Well apparently he forms a new project! Abnormal Thought Patterns is an instrumental project featuring Jasun on guitars, Troy Tipton on bass, and Mike Guy on drums. Essentially the core musicians of Zero Hour. Further they are augmented with Richard Sharman as the second guitarist. This is tech metal to the max - somewhere along the lines of Blotted Science and Spastic Ink but with that unmistakable Tipton Brothers sound. Its an EP and frankly I don't think you could digest any more in one sitting - lots of notes here. Guaranteed to have many moments where you will stop and ask yourself "how the hell did they do that?". Complex thinking man's metal at its best!
If you already know Zero Hour, then you’ll be able to guess that listening to Abnormal Thought Patterns is no stroll in the park. Zero Hour seem to deliberately set out to challenge their audience and push boundaries, and Tipton J has continued this trend with this new outfit, laying out for this EP four songs (‘The Machine Within’, ‘Velocity and Acceleration’ Movements 1 – 4’, ‘Ulnar Nerve Damage’ and ‘Electric Sun’) which almost redefine the term progressive metal: think Steve Vai crossed with Liquid Tension Experiment written by a hyperactive mastermind who can’t seem to sit still for five minutes and you’re pretty much in the zone – fantasy meets evolution, the abstract collides with the concrete, and fretboards are worn thin with continual runs.
This is music to be analysed, to be dissected, rather than music to bounce around the room to (although please don’t let me stop you…). Enjoy it by all means, but it’s not something you put on just for the sake of easy listening; it’s something you play to wonder at the precision and complexity of the instrumentation. The more you hear it, the more you pick up on the intricacy of the bass and guitar lines, the sophistication of the many time changes, the power and precision with which each track is performed, and you marvel at how they ever came up with such material in the first place, let alone flexed their muscles to get it all on tape. When they riff, it’s heavier than a twelve-ton truck; when they solo, it’s like being caught in a blizzard of notes; and just when you get into the groove the time signature changes to throw you completely off guard.
That’s not to say that Abnormal Thought Patterns is solely musicians’ music; no way, José. But it is challenging and thought-provoking; and it is ultimately majestic. And after saying all that, Tipton, Tipton and Guy round things off with something as intensely beautiful as ‘Electric Sun’, as fine an instrumental as you’re ever likely to hear. (c)

Troy Tipton Bass
Mike Guy Drums
Richard Sharman Guitars
Jasun Tipton Guitars, Keyboards

Here we have Northern California's instrumental trio known as Abnormal Thought Patterns (ATP for short). ATP consists of brothers Troy (b) and Jasun (g) Tipton, with their longtime friend and drummer Mike Guy. The three of them, made up the instrumental parts of the band Zero Hour. Zero Hour in my opinion was one of the most underrated progressive metal bands ever. Insane musicianship, great songwriting, and a sound all their own. This is their first full length disc as ATP, with an EP that came out in 2011 named just Abnormal Thought Patterns.
The first four songs, continue the The Velocity and Acceleration Movement pieces from the EP. Where one song ends, the other begins. To some it may sound like one song, to me each song has its own personality. Whether its the speed of which they are played, the notes that are used, something different can be heard from each song. Calculating Patterns is next, with its jazz/fusion feel and mechanical sounding percussion.
Harmonic Oscillators brings back the insane, from the opening sweep guitar solos, to Troy's very audible bass lines. While it feels like each instrument is playing a different song, it sounds very cohesive. The chaos that is ATP's music is definitely showcased with this song. 4 String Lullaby is Troy getting some solo time. This song should not be considered a filler song, due to the fact, what he is playing, is technical and proficient. The haunting clean guitar tones of Autumn come in next. This song shows Jasun putting some restrain on his guitar pyrotechnics. The song reaches a climax at the one minute and thirty second point, with Troy's bass arpeggios (a technique in which notes in a chord are played individually) coming through.
The next song is the title track, which again showcases the pure instrumental prowess of the band, and is worthy of the disc's title track. Quintessence is another jazz/fusion style song. With the distortion dialed down, the clean tone of Jasun's notes come through. The sheer amount of notes and what he is playing, makes this song a highlight. Mike Guy's poly-rhythmic drumming, is amazing. His playing throughout the disc is virtuoso, and while the Tipton brothers get a lot of the attention, Guy's drumming is definitely not overshadowed.
This disc may not be for everyone. Some may say this disc is nothing but instrumental meandering, others may find it fascinating. If instrumental CDs are not your go to CD, this disc may not change your mind. I believe fans of bands like Death or Atheist will enjoy this disc as much as fans of guitar gods like Tony McAlpine or Steve Vai. This is a disc best listened to it in one sitting, preferably with headphones on. What Abnormal Thought Patterns brings here, is an instrumental soundscape, that will shred one minute, while calming you the next, and is truly the sum of all its parts. Highly recommended to those who enjoy instrumental music.
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Troy Tipton Bass
Mike Guy Drums
Jasun Tipton Guitars, Keyboards

The Tipton twins (Jasun and Troy) have been around the prog metal world for quite a while now. Zero Hour always seemed like they would be the next big thing but it just never happened. Troy was then sidelined with an injury and Zero Hour was no more. From the ashes arose not one, but two bands. One band, Cynthesis, was the more “traditional” prog metal band. While the other band, Abnormal Thought Patterns, was an instrumental prog band.
“Altered States Of Consciousness” is the second full-length from ATP and it shows that the brothers and drummer Mike Guy are still incredibly talented and can craft a dynamic and powerful set of songs. “Altered States Of Consciousness” starts by ATP dipping their toes into the djent pool with the opening riff of “Distortions of Perception,” but it’s not a total djent affair as the song changes and morphs into something Joe Satriani SHOULD do but can’t get out of his own way to do it.
The most interesting number is “Nocturnal Haven” which actually is on the album twice! The first version is the only song with vocals, performed by Between the Buried and Me vocalist Tommy Rogers. The song also has guitarist Jeff Loomis trading solos with the guys. The instrumental version might appeal to those who wanted an all instrumental album but for me, it’s really cool to have Tommy Rogers singing for the band if even for just one song.
Another special guest is bassist Michael Manring who contributes some amazing playing to Synesthesia. The song owes much to freeform jazz as well as blistering metal. “Delusions” is one of my favorite tracks because it shows the dynamics of ATP, heavy riffs along with very mellow melodic breaks.
In a perfect world, Abnormal Thought Patterns would be as famous as Animals as Leaders or Scale the Summit or any of the more popular, yet for me, not as talented instrumental prog bands. Hopefully with the help of Tommy Rogers and the others, people will take notice of “Altered States Of Consciousness” and the Tipton brothers will finally get the larger audience they have always deserved.
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Jason Montero Guitars
Jason Tipton Guitars, Keyboards
Troy Tipton Bass
Mike Guy Drums