Who’s the weak link in Etherius? There isn’t one. These are four top-tier talents out of New Jersey making incredible Progressive Thrashy instrumentals. Each song is overrun with melody, blast beats, and raging solos, raging riffs, raging power.

I never recommend albums just for the talent of the players; the songs need to be up to the task. And simply put, in unfancy language, “Chaos, Order, Renewal.” is great music. The heaviness on this record is blood-pumping, but Etherius prove to be masters of ebb and flow, letting you breathe between the heaviest moments with clean guitar sections and/or divine synth and piano touches from guitarist/keyboardist Jon Perkins.
The production is a tiny bit rough, which absolutely adds, does not detract (and was very possibly a conscious choice, not a consequence of limited budget). The muted guitar strings at times sound like rusted lengths of metal wire. I mean this as a compliment; it’s awesome.
I’m most often reminded of Nevermore and Jeff Loomis’s solo albums, but there are also strong touches of Megadeth, Dream Theater, Goljira, Galactic Empire, Strapping Young Lad, and Witherfall.
With material this good, if they’d added vocals equal to the task, Etherius could have been vaulted to the top of the big-name Metal scene. Not questioning their artistic intent or decisions for one second, I’m just sayin’.
If you’re instrumental-avoidant, then get over yourself and give this album a spin. This is what great Metal sounds like. It’s hard to pick highlight tracks, but I’ve got to go with the gorgeous solos in “Unity in Darkness” (featuring guest guitar from Angel Vivaldi), the track that it leads directly into: “The Eye of Ra,” and also “Pyramid of Mirrors.” Really, just pick a track on this album and you’ll be pleased. There are six actual full-band songs plus the intro piece, and all of them are worthy.

ETHERIUS is:
Jay Tarantino - Guitars
Jon Perkins - Guitars / Keyboards
Zaki Ali - Drums / Keyboards
Chris Targia - Bass