Funny thing about Aeon Zen's "Enigma". . . On casual or partial-focused listens, this is a brilliant amalgam of styles, a prog-informed blend of Enigma (coincidence?) and In Flames, with dashes of Devin Townsend's recent work, early Muse, and 90s Tangerine Dream - - all with a homogenized European accent. The strong moments are numerous, interesting, and innovative enough to seize your fractured attention. These guys have the creative and songcrafting chops; it's early, but "Enigma" could even be in the mix for 2013's Top 10 lists, come December.

Tonal changes are handled deftly and fluidly, with impressive skill. While the overall feel tends more toward the mellow, there's still no shortage of low-E muted chugging riffs and growled vocals. Beautifully melodic piano measures and synth lines live harmoniously in the spaces between the heavier moments. Even the rare saxophone appearance doesn't sound out of place.

The album's minor flaws will shine through under a more focused listen. Scrutiny will reveal lyrics that flirt with cliche, along with some thin vocal passages. As exciting as the majority of the album is, there are also some fleeting bland parts. None of this compromises the overall excellence.

As I tried to list the stand-out tracks, I kept wanting to add more. The best are the opening duo, ‘Enter the Enigma’ and ‘Artificial Soul’, which feed into each other and set the tone nicely; the surprisingly effective, borderline-Stryper-hokey ballad, ‘Seven Hills’; and the tumultuous ‘Still Human’, which merges into the Elliott Smith-like harmonized vocal goodness of ‘Eternal Snow's’ first section, which in turn revolves back to death growls.

Enigma is a fascinating work of beauty, worthy of whatever percentage of your attention you're willing to give it.