Unexpect – In A Flesh Aquarium / 2006 The End / 10 Tracks / http://www.unexpect.com / http://www.theendrecords.com / Reviewed 17 August 2006

The way that “Chromatic Chimera” starts out is something to behold. There are hints of Primus, Dresden Dolls, Cradle of Filth, and To My Surprise that all make their entrance during this track and others on “In A Flesh Aquarium”. There are perhaps thrity or forty different styles that occur during “Chromatic Chimera” alone.

The band is like a more spastic version of System of a Down, and shows time and time again that they just do not care if they ever make it big on music video stations or radio. The tracks do not reside in Agoraphobic Nosebleed runtimes; many of the tracks blast past the five minute mark, allowing Unexpect to go forward and commit anything that they wish to disc. However odd some of the arrangements may be, the fact is there that Unexpect creates a very cohesive album. Perhaps most interesting on the disc is the slinky and groovy is the latest section of “Feasting Fools”. In this section, Unexpect gets into something that is almost rap, with each member of the band throwing in vocal and instrumental additions. The band can come forth with something that will be approachable by a larger audience during the opening section of “Desert Urbania”.

The track is overall more conservative than anything heard on the disc to this point, but breaks free from time signatures and musical conventions to make the track an Unexpect one. The band knows how to work on so many different levels. If Unexpect wanted to do an album of classical orchestra covers, I have no doubt that they would create something comparable to any of the philharmonics around. The band chooses to create this off-kilter brand of metal, and to my knowledge, they are one of the only acts that do this to this extent. Unexpect creates some of the most ground-shaking metal that the world has heard, and while it will take listeners a decent amount of time to get into the act, the rewards for doing so will be high. The band pounds their drums and toots their own horns for over an hour, and yet it does not feel as if Unexpect is coasting on their own accomplishments. That is to say that the music on “Psychic Juggle” is as experimental and exciting as that during “Chromatic Chimera”. This is a great present for anyone who likes pushing their horizons in directions previously unknown.

Top Tracks: Desert Urbania, Chromatic Chimera

Rating: 6.9/10

[JMcQ]