Twisted Into Form is another super group formed of ex-members of the excellent Spiral Architect and Extol. Guitarist extraordinaire Kaj Gornitzka (Spiral) Extol drummer David Husvik, bassist Erik Aadland and original Spiral Architect's vocalist Leif J. Knashaug are forming the line up. I actually enjoyed pretty much Spiral Architect's style and on this release, I found some of its cool elements back in the intricate song structure, great time signature and amazing guitar playing which is all around the place, way up front to be fully appreciated by everyone. This perhaps to the disadvantage of the rhythmic section, tending to be playing a more discrete/subdue role even if once and a while, we can enjoy some nice fretless bass passages. On the other hand, I found the vocals distractive, out of place, although not as terrible as what I've too often heard in progressive band nowadays. The singer even got me by surprised by singing with harsh vocals on track#6 (Manumit). Great, great guitar work, from leads to riffing, arpeggios, harmonics and even some acoustic sections just like you can find in some of the best compositions: The Thin Layers of Lust and Love, Coda and Erased. Some keyboards (dark ones) are offered in the short instrumental simply called Tear.

All in all a pretty interesting and technical release bound to drive many prog metal fans off the wall.

7.9 / 10