Harsk - 'Engineering Armageddon' http://ns2.rocktopiarecords.com/media/reviews/photos/thumbnail/200x200s/3b/c3/ef/harsk-engineering-armageddon-31-1393362276.jpg Hot

They've got plenty of their own unique character and attention grabbing arrangements to make them worthy of checking out.

The typeface used on the album sleeve makes their band name look more like Harsh, so you brace yourself wondering what kind of noise is going to be exorcized through the speakers. Fear not however, as the Norwegian progressive metal band have a powerful, yet melodic sound that should reach a wider audience than their debut did. Their debut had comparisons to Led Zep, Black Sabbath and Muse. Only really the Muse comparison holds true for this follow up. There are also hints of Porcupine Tree and Dream Theatre but they're no copyists because they have forged a style of their own.

The first thing that strikes you is the big, clear production sound that adds punch to the songs. The title 'Engineering Armageddon' lets you into the fact that this has a dark edge but it never gets too oppressive. Big heavy metal riffs with lashings of prog keyboards are the order of the day. There's a good balance between light and shade on the record such as the piano on 'Rust Pt.1' or the most powerful song 'Transformation' that has a whopping brutal riff that arrives midway through the song which the keyboards and rhythm section swirl around like whirling dervishes.

Eirik Wolfenstein is a metal singer, dark but with the ability to carry melody and there's even a hint of Scandi-folk about his delivery too. On the heavy 'Oathbreaker' he sounds uncannily, and surprisingly, like Depeche Mode's Dave Gahan.

The songs themes have that moody, dark vein that often emanates from parts of Scandinavia. They've got plenty of their own unique character and attention grabbing arrangements to make them worthy of checking out.

Duncan Jamieson