Walken, a Bay Area progressive thrash band has released their second full length, self released album of their own namesake. This is definitely an interesting album which brings aspects of traditional progressive metal, crossover thrash and post metal/sludge rumblings,  which is quite different than the likes of other progressive thrash pedigrees such as Watchtower, who mold jazzy riffs with a more sophisticated style of thrash. Walken is much more hardcore edged with a progressive style that beckons comparisons to Between the Buried and Me, the current standard in extreme American progressive music of any style.

First and foremost, the band should immediately cease and desist any attempts at clean vocals, they flat out suck and threaten to evoke comparisons to shitty metalcore and so called “emo” bands. Something tells me a band like Walken doesn’t want to be compared to the likes of Underoath, but it’ll happen dammit. Luckily, the attempted singing by Shane is a very small portion of the album which aids in Walken not immediately becoming a shit show of epic proportions.

Instrumentally, it’s quite clear that Walken is comprised of some talented musicians who can seamlessly combine all of these wacky elements together to make a fluid, technical sound that could stand up to any mainstream, well established band’s experience. This is no “punk turned metal” act, these guys have a rich tapestry of experience that is illustrated clearly in every riff that they play.

Fans of Between the Buried and Me, Animals As Leaders and Scale the Summit need to seek out this album, because it will serve as a great compendium to a fruitful year of technically proficient metal.

VERY GOOD

Similar Artists: Between the Buried and Me, Animals As Leaders, Scale the Summit

1.    Watch It Burn
2.    Nadir
3.    Running Out Of Time
4.    Thunder Paws
5.    Bitter Red
6.    In The City Of No Seasons
7.    Dylans Song
8.    Right At Home
9.    01/21/07
10.    Beast Toker
11.    The Bridge

Shane Bergman – Bass, Vocals
Sean Kohler – Guitars, Vocals
Max Doyle – Guitar
Zack Farwell – Drums

Self Released

http://www.myspace.com/walken

Review by CODY