Progressive metal band Caricature are back with yet another release, this time the surprising Unborn EP. It’s tough to qualify anything surprising from this outfit and its leader Joseph Spiller, since their last release Stampede was a one track EP that was a 27 minute long song about Spiller’s cat, Parmesan. That track is epic in length and also musically, and so it begs the question: where do you go from there? Well obviously if you are Caricature you go right back to work write some of the best songs in your career.

Unborn follows Spiller’s tradition of working with some of the best names in the business, but totally keeps his vision intact. And true to that vision, except for some guest shredding by Ray Suhy (Six Feet Under, Cannabis Corpse, etc.), Spiller played every note on this album including the drums. Spiller also tends to be a sole enterprise when it comes to producing engineering and artwork, but the EP also includes mastering by James Murphy (Testament, Death), mixing by Gerard Vachon, and some co-arranging by producer Peter Rutcho (Parkway Drive, Bury Your Dead, Revocation) on the closing track.

Brooding and brutal, the title track leads the charge and is anthemic shot in the arm. Slow building, with a melodic chorus, it’s definitely one of the best tracks the band has ever done. Suhy adds in a few killer lead breaks for good measure. The Djent and deathcore heads will love ‘Man of Science”s chopping riffs and beats. The chorus is one of the best ear-worms of 2016 too.

Next, instrumental interlude 1:03 gives way to ‘Spark’. ‘Spark is a gentle ballad which isn’t too much of a left turn for the band (look up their cover of Goo Goo Dolls’ ‘Iris’ if you have a few minutes and a box of tissues to spare.) ‘Spark’ is not my favorite track, but the soaring lead breaks and Jazzy chords are more than enough to satisfy.

‘End Of Two Worlds’ rounds things out and is another banger. An uncompromising power groove and thrash tour DE force, the track is like Dimebag Darrell came back to life and impregnated Gojira. Teeming with hostility, yet another track with a deep tunefulness to it. Suhy also crushes another sick lead on this track.

With so much focus and praise always going to better known prog metal bands, spend a little of your time and money on an underground, under-appreciated band doing something truly unique like Caricature.

8.5/10

KEITH CHACHKES