Time Signature The road...

Genre: modern metal

For some reason Italian metallers The Moor are marketed as a progressive metal band, but their style, on this EP at least, does not seem particularly progressive.

They start off with 'Covered' which is more of power-thrashy affair which blends thrashy aggression with melodic power metal elements. The chorus has more of an alternative metal/nu metal feel to it, while the bridge, with its slightly offbeat drums, is perhaps the closest this track comes to being progressive. The next track 'Before Abigail' follows, although a bit heavier, the same formula, with a more melodic now metal-like chorus and a slightly more interesting bridge. The same applies to 'Antikythera', although this track has somewhat of a different drive and a more elaborate bridge. It is only when we reach the last two tracks 'Venice' and 'The Road', which - although they still have more in common with Disturbed and Nickelback than Dream Theater and Fates Warning - that we see some inklings of something potentially progressive.

We are certainly not dealing with a lousy release or anything, but it's a tad formulaic, and, when the band is actually marketed as a progressive progressive metal band, there are probably many who will disappointed when they hear this EP.

The Moor do have an album in the making, and that one might be one that actually lives up the the "progressive metal" label. Let's wait and see.