HOWLING SYCAMORE

SevenPathways ToAnnihilation PROSTHETIC

Strange metal bedfellows continue their path of self-discovery

Howling Sycamore hail from the proggier end of extremity. Featuring ex-Ephel Duath guitarist Davide Tiso, ex-Watchtower singer Jason McMaster and ex-Necrophagist drummer Hannes Grossmann. Seven Pathways… is an eclectic mix. Opener Mastering Fire ramps up in theatrical manner, getting better the harder and faster it gets. Initiation’s dissonant guitar and blasts bring to mind

90s progressive death – particularly with the old-school vocals. This narrative of esoteric selfdiscovery culminates with Sorcerer, throwing Brain Tentacles’ Bruce Lamont’s bizarro sax on top of its blasts, to stunning effect. With guest appearances from the likes of Marty Friedman, this album is a who’s who for tech nerds and an engrossing experiment in and of itself.

FOR FANS OF: Ayreon, Ihsahn, Control Denied The Red Light Shine combines classic rock, folk and blues to showcase her vocal prowess. The opening title track combines a muscular hook with vocal recriminations, building to a gospel-choir crescendo. The Wait’s piano-led reverie is offset by louche solos, reserved verses and baleful choruses while Legacy

Crown moves through choral cooing to acidic guitars and a jarring, staccato chorus. Closer Interstellar builds over eight minutes as sparkling guitars and soulful wails increase in tension before a cathartic release. Ranging from Danzig to Led Zeppelin in tone, this is a confident debut, but also sombre, seductive and nuanced.

FOR FANS OF: The Devil’s Blood, Blues Pills, MaidaVale gleefully re-absorbed their freak-flag-weaving spirit – although eschewing comic-book mythology to chart the history of Western philosophy song-by-song. With their cerebral eccentricity, swashbuckling bravado and songwriting nous back near full pelt, TLWSF once more confirm their status as heavy metal’s most underrated odd-squad.

FOR FANS OF: Iron Maiden, Thin Lizzy, Manilla Road