II

Short version: this album should not be missed by any fan of progressive or orchestral metal. If you are a fan of both , like myself, you are in for a treat. Go and buy this album.

Long Version: Xerath are vaguely new band, having only formed in 2007 and released one previous album , the similarly titled Xerath - I. Their debut album already managed to mix us the formula of Mesuggah-esque prog metal. They did this by mixing up the typical chug riffs with orchestral elements. It was a slight change to the formula, but it payed off. I consider Xerath's I a modern prog metal masterpiece. So does Xerath II live up to its predecessor?

Yes. A thousand times yes. Xerath II is everything that made Xerath I special and bounds more. All the instrumental element that stood out remain unchanged, such as the constantly shifting time signatures , the Meshuggah-esque djent guitars layered with interesting riffs and melodic bits , the intensely complex poly-rhythmic based drumming, the heavy bass tones and so on. The only major difference is in vocalist Richard Thomson's vocal style. I's sound was more centralized in a guttural death metal style and while it fit the music, it was slightly monotonous which detracted from the experience as a whole. Gladly he does a major shift for II bringing in a more Meshuggah-esque drone mixed with a style similar to swedish melo-death bands such as soilwork. It's a much more polytonal vocal performance which really compliments the shifting tones of the music.

The album flows seamlessly from track to track. With Xerath, it feels like the songs aren't supposed to be enjoyed individually, but as parts of a greater picture, not only spanning the album II, but I as well. The last track on I(Right to exist) flows into 'Unite to Defy'. But there is a heavier feel to II - a more chaotic tone.