The Angry Scotsman Perhaps the best work put out yet by the NYC based thrash metal band, "Eyes to the Soul" is a great album. Thrash Metal, tinged with progressive elements, this album has speed, technicality, and musicianship.

The guitar work is amazing from start to finish. The solos are quite good, and more then mindless shredding, (there is some neo classical influence in them). The drumming is more than adequate. Sometimes it is simple beat keeping, (slower or thrashy) but there is blistering doubles bass and some really good beats laid out. The vocals are surprisingly good, a "scruffy" type yelling. The bass is really the only sour point. You can almost not here it all, except for obvious bass sections, (which are decent).

More importantly than physical skill, this is a well composed album. Well structured songs. They never drag, never are too short, and each song has a great flow. Eyes to the Soul, Paradigm, and Shell Shock each have serious moments of melodicism as well.

It is tough out there for a small band, cutting their teeth to make it. I sure hope this is one that does, because a listen to this work and you will know this is not just any local band you can here. They have some serious talent. Only real problems: the album is too short, needs more bass, and could also use a bit more vocals. However, this is a well composed release packed with talent.

Four Stars