The structure of “Exist”, the first track on this self-titled album, is interesting. There are sections in this track when nothing is responding but the guitars, and even these struggle with a time signature that is different, to say the least. However, the skill shown by Aaron Bell in drawing the track from the brink of anemia is enough to keep listeners tuned in for quite a few tracks after. When the second half of “Exist” comes to fruition, one starts to hear a tremendous early-eighties feel to Degree Absolute that puts them right alongside acts like Queensryche and Armored Saint.

“Exist” is one of the only near-eight minute songs that I would put anywhere near the front of ANY disc, and this is because it is so expertly crafted and compelling to listeners of all stripes, be they fans of metal or not. Aaron is one of a few artists that can honestly created something that sounds vital, that sounds like an entire band is backing eir rather than just aurally masturbating themselves. The inclusion of Doug Beary as a drummer on this album is really the piece de resistance, in that there are two very different styles of metal that come through on this disc, especially during “Laughing Alone”. There seems to be a heavier set of drumming than Aaron’s guitars would normally call for, but this connection of speed metal drumming and eighties-typed metal really works in Degree Absolute’s case. “Questions” is another example of this fusion taking over all sections of the disc, with the vocals present linking themselves just as much to Jim Morrison as they do to Chris Cornell; the slight twinge of Middle Eastern feel during this track also connects Degree Absolute to both “Powerslave”-era Iron Maiden and Blind Guardian.

Throwing Dave Lindeman a huge bone with the opening of “Confession”, Degree Absolute change their sound to reflect a very audible and catchy (one could say even funky) bass line. Clearing the last vestiges of doubt from even the most cynical listener’s mind, the instrumental heavy “Distance” shows that vocals are not needed to create an interesting and compelling Degree Absolute track. Hell, the tender guitar work on the track could even be on the Weather Channel, but the narrative content of these arrangements is what really keeps the track in line with the rest of the disc. The band may sound at times to be a relic, but there is always a vitality surrounding their music that is rare in music today.

Top Tracks: Pi, Questions

Rating: 6.4/10

[JMcQ]