It is said that you should never judge a book by its cover; and whereas this is mostly a great mantra to live by, when a little known band comes out of nowhere with an album cover very reminiscent of progressive music overlords King Crimson, it’s going to send progheads into an excited frenzy. As it happens, Greek metallers Tardive Dyskinesia a suitably challenging, ecliptic and masterful concoction to live up to their clear tributary fourth album sleeve. 

In a modern-day scene which is overrun by so-called progressive bands fitting into strict categories and sounds, Harmonic Confusion (Playfalse Records) actually offers a near-innovative hybrid, proving difficult to pigeonhole. Its most obvious components are the likes of Mastodon’s atmospheric, downtuned sludge and vocals which intertwine between guttural growls and low-toned singing. Scratching the surface however reveals even further nuances and a rich palette of influences. ‘Self Destructive Haze’ for example shows off the muscle and polyrhythms of Meshuggah, whilst ‘Saviour Complex’ reveals subtle post-rock soundscapes and even a melancholic sax passage.

Where Tardive Dyskinesia take their cues from are fairly obvious to pick out and are hardly uncommon influences in this day, but they do so with expertly blending them together in a way that feels flowing and wholesome and with just enough of their own character to make this more than just a tribute compilation. Instead, Harmonic Confusion is a bolt from the blue moment which puts them as an exciting prog metal tour de force, and a benchmark of how this style can push further once again.

8.0/10

CHRIS TIPPELL