Animals as Leaders
Prosthetic
April 28, 2009

I don't remember which New England Metal Fest it was, but I found myself being one of the few people at the main stage watching some band I never heard of. They blew me away with their technical metal prowess and outstanding musicianship. I immediately figured out that the band was called Reflux, bought their album and got the priviledge of interviewing guitarist Tosin Abasi later on that night. They broke up soon after, and some time after that Animals as Leaders was born.

The instrumental aspect was interesting to me, but I knew to expect some mind blowing guitar playing, which this album is full of. This is a talented band that is carried to the next level by the creativity of Abasi. The things he comes up with is beautiful and technical, but not rubbing how good he is in everyone's face. This is his baby and he lets that known while giving the rest of the music a chance to shine, especially the synth playing and programming of Misha "Bulb" Mansoor. His work compliments Abasi's for a killer one-two punch.

I don't know how to actually describe this music except to call it ahead of its time. The main focus is the constant killer guitar work, but there is no lack of creativity from the other three members, who follow their leader in putting out an album that can't quite be likened to anything else.

Written by: RF
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