UMUR "Gretzky" is the debut full-length studio album by Canadian, Winnipeg, Manitoba based progressive metal act Electro Quarterstaff. The album was released through Willowtip Records in October 2006. Electro Quarterstaff were formed in 2001 and have relased two EPs ("Live (2002)" and "Swayze (2004)") before the release of "Gretzky". The album is named after the Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky.

Stylistically the music is instrumental technical/progressive metal. On "Gretzky" the band consists of three guitarists and a drummer, but no bassist (they would add a bassist to the lineup in 2007). The material featured on the album is mainly re-arranged versions of tracks, which were originally featured on the preceding EPs. It´s busy music with many guitar layers and fast technical drumming, but there are also slower and more melodic oriented sections on the album. Sometimes the riffing style is thrash oriented and sometimes even touching death metal territory, but "Gretzky" is generally pretty varied, drawing influences from many different musical styles.

The material on the 8 track, 51:30 minutes long album is well written and relatively accessible despite the focus on technical playing, but it´s not necessarily instantly catchy, so it may require a few spins to sink in. It´s the kind of album where you´ll find new details with every listen. The sound production is powerful and detailed, but the choice to not include a bassist is a bit odd to my ears and occassionally a heavy bass or counterpoint melody would have been great. On the other hand it´s not necessarily something you´ll notice if you didn´t know it, but once you know, it´s almost impossible not to think of it.

Upon conclusion "Gretzky" is a hiqh quality instrumental technical/progressive metal release. Relatively interesting songwriting, a well sounding production, and high level musicianship are some of the assets and a 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "Aykroyd" is the 2nd full-length studio album by Canadian progressive metal act Electro Quarterstaff. The album was released through Willowtip Records in October 2011.

Electro Quarterstaff play an instrumental and extremely technical type of progressive metal on "Aykroyd". While it may seem strange when the music doesn´t vocals and lyrics the band are actually very good at incorporating humour in their music to go along with the cartoonish cover artwork. The humouristic element works like a charm. Always delivered in a tasteful yet wacky manner. The tracks are querky, structurally complex and delivered in a convincing high energy fashion. Electro Quarterstaff features a drummer, a bassist and no less than three guitarists. The team of guitarists compliment each other well throughout the album. Dissonant chords, odd melodies and harmonies which threatens to bend your mind at any time. Backed by the powerful and well playing rythm section, the guitar attack is something out of the ordinary. While there are some mellower moments on the album like the opening track "The Wolf Shall Inherit The Moon", "Aykroyd" is generally a very busy and challenging affair that takes some time to sink in. Upon repeated listens the album reveals quite a few layers though and if you´re up for a challenge it´s definitely an album I can recommend.

We´re talking high level musicianship, a great organic sound production and some pretty intriguing songwriting. I´d say somewhere between a 3.5 to a 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.