MANDROID ECHOSTAR

Coral Throne

When it comes to progressive music, lengthy runtimes are often enough to ward off listeners. Opting to write at more conventional lengths without sacrificing their progressive metal might has set Guelph’s Mandroid Echostar apart. Nearly six years since their inception, the band achieve this balance on debut full-length Coral Throne. A number of tracks that don’t crack four minutes leave their mark with memorable hooks and powerful choruses, at times leaning more toward hard rock. Giving these compositions wings with which to soar is vocalist Michael Ciccia, leading the charge with his expressive delivery and extensive range. And while accessibility is indeed one of the record’s key strengths, there’s enough prog metal muscle on display for those impressed by technical skill, too. The crew shift time signatures and dynamics with ease on driving first single “Paladin” and “Lotus,” showcase some brilliantly written guitarmonies on “Iron Hands” and hold nothing back on the lengthy blowout finale “Zelos.” Six years in the making, the Guelph sextet are at last kings of their Coral Throne. (Distort, teamdistort.com) CALUM SLINGERLAND