The Angry Scotsman HOLY CRAP!

Was my immediate reaction when I first heard this album. The project of a member from Mutiny Within, (a band fairly known in the NJ metal scene and one I was never a big fan of honestly) this album is pedal to the metal, balls to the wall, extreme metal. "Breaking the Wheel" features the lightning fast, technical riffing, blazing guitar solos, and jagged song structures of thrash metal, played at death metal intensity and with vocals that border on black metal. Consider it an extreme metal whirlwind tour!

The music is mind blowingly fast and technical, with guitar work that will slaughter your soul. It changes up often, usually on the flick of a switch. The drumming is largely composed of blast beats, sprinkled with crazy fills and breaks of machine gun double bass. There is not enough ways to say this is insanely talented music.

That could become a bit much quickly, but thankfully nothing stays the same for too long. The songs change it up quickly and often, sometimes between varying degrees of madness but also some slower, groovier sections and even...the rare mellow moment! That is rare though. The songs are short so they don't overstay their welcome, and there's even a segue to give you a breather from thrashing like a madman.

The finale is almost 9 minutes long, but there is a lot of slower stuff that keeps you interested, and alive, throughout. In fact it's variety, (and impressively melodic touches) makes it my favorite song on the album.

The vocals are generally raspy screams, as well as some thrashy style shouts. They fit the music and are pretty good, except for some really deep, cheesy (and frankly poor) growls. There aren't many though.

The production on the album is pretty good, you can hear everything fine although the actual drums sound fake. At first I was sure it was a program, until I found out otherwise. I later found out from my brother all the drums were triggered which is why it has it's unnatural sound. Not a major problem really and I got used to it easy enough.

This album is not for everyone, as even a pretty hardcore metal fan like myself was utterly shocked when I first heard it. However, if you like extreme metal I highly recommend you give this a listen. Break neck speed, intensity and technical skill, with good song writing that keeps the songs and album from getting boring or going on too long. There is just enough "slow down" time and really, I marvel at these kids musical skill. Although, the craziest thing you'll hear on the entire album is at the very end...

Good album, that is not for everyone and is not an any time listen for me, but a very solid and impressive extreme metal album that any fan of that style should enjoy.

Three and a Half Stars