While a cool listen, "The Atomized Dream" is like an instrumental version of a person rambling eloquently in your ear for an hour. After a while, I get lost in focusing on all the yammering. CANVAS SOLARIS is like futuristic musical wallpaper; for instance, check out the fatty beats laid down on "Chromatic Dusk" and tell me it doesn't get down-right groovy. Wait a second, weren't these guys some instrumental progressive metal band to start with? It seems they've been expanding their sound from when I first heard them and it's paying off as they are at the forefront of instrumental metal and obviously expanding their horizons. The band members have a honed their craft from a ton of jam sessions to play off each other with the greatest of ease. They can either deploy tension or ease up on the throttle and focus on longer-winded passages. The atmosphere is drenched with a psychedelic factor due to the use of Korgs, Mini Moogs as well as Nord synthesizers and guitar synthesizers. I have to say this is the most impressive CANVAS SOLARIS release to date, and it's nice to see these guys playing creatively in the style they so desire.

- Riley

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/canvassolaris

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