Scale The Summit, Carving Desert Canyons
Posted on 18th Jul 09 by Jonathan Keane | 
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Doesn’t this band just scream ambitious? Look at that name and take another gawk at that album title! How and ever, you may be pleased to know that their instrumental output justifies their self applied vivacious name. Many would say that they should be lumped into the Post Metal genre, but, more often then not, that’s [...]
Doesn’t this band just scream ambitious? Look at that name and take another gawk at that album title! How and ever, you may be pleased to know that their instrumental output justifies their self applied vivacious name. Many would say that they should be lumped into the Post Metal genre, but, more often then not, that’s a name put on a “heavy” band that does not “fit in” anywhere else. Carving Desert Canyons is heavy in parts, not necessarily metal, but it is quite progressive.
The band shamelessly wear their influences on their collective sleeves. The modern prog leanings of Dream Theater and Cynic and the more classic prog of King Crimson and Rush are all evident. In this mixing pot there’s an eclectic balance of new and old.
Blooms, only 2 minutes in length opens things with its unabashed melodic leads which nod to Between The Buried And Me, in their vehement execution.
Then, Sargasso Sea’s thrashy riffs give way to elegant guitar leads and then its immense climax comes crashing down.
Nothing is tiresome. Every note fits perfectly
One of the finest elements of Scale The Summit (STS) is the effortless harmonies. The Texans’ accord between guitar and percussion on The Great Plains are tight and drift easily through the mellow arrangements.
Age Of The Tide has guitarists Chris Letchford and Travis Levrier shredding their limber fingers briskly through catchy riffs which leads to a climactic “wow” ending. It’s one of the centre pieces of the album while so is Glacial Planet. It’s a huge and fun sounding tune with a riff that you’ll wish you had wrote!
No riff or solo is overplayed on Carving Desert Canyons. Nothing is tiresome. Every note fits perfectly, but it is still relentless and shows no sign of slowing down or resting with the more calm sections. The record retains vigour and drive throughout.
The album’s ever varying and ascending fret work is at times utterly jaw dropping (while never sounding pretentious). It’s always just right as STS fit all the parts in perfectly. As for the production quality; it’s pristine and beautifully focussed.
City In The Sky is hypnotising and at this stage of the record you’re floored. Their ability, ambition and potential are all overwhelming. It all comes to a head on Giants, a continuation of the majesties throughout. This shows that these guys have a knack for all things grand.
The closer manages near perfection, trading immaculate riff after immaculate riff and the outro warrants a standing ovation.
Judging from this effort the future looks bright for STS especially now, since they have been drafted in as replacements for Pain of Salvation on Dream Theater‘s Progressive Nation tour in the States. Take notice!
Drop-d Rating: 8/10
Tags: Between The Buried And Me, carving desert canyons, Chris Letchford, Cynic, Dream Theater, King Crimson, Pain of Salvation, post metal, post rock, prog rock, Rush, scale the summit, Scale The Summit Carving Desert Canyons, Travis Levrier
Sounds great, I’ll be seeing them next month on the PN tour so glad to hear a positive review of them
sucks that Pain of Salvation had to pull out, but that’s some record label bullshit for ya.