The album starts out a bit more theatrical, but then progresses into a harsher and more fierce movement at the end. However, it’s the mid-section that really holds no punches, as it takes emotional stabs with transitions that shockwave through the body and resonate long after the album is finished; “The Valley” and “Echo”, both clocking 9-minutes or so, are probably the best songs of the year. For example, when “Echo” takes a more active persona at the 4:30 mark, it’s a move that few bands have been able to pull off — and for the song to transform into the epic that it becomes… goddamn!

Musically Leprous operates in territories where Devin Townsend has been at his best — without the skullet — albeit the band also has its moments of delirium. While the title song “Coal” could fool almost anybody, it’s still not 1:1 at any point, as there’s the Norwegian genius thrown into the mix that seems to combine acts like Arcturus, Ulver, Winds, Green Carnation and Emperor (with a sprinkle of more mainstream acts like Muse and to-hell-with-it, Daft Punk). Much like the aforementioned acts, the thing goes from absolute beauty to sprouts of rage and then gathers all those mixed emotions into something that simply makes sense in the end. I don’t know, it’s hard to just put the band into a cone with a bunch of references around it, but what we’ve got here is indeed perfected and polished like a diamond; one that maintains all the blood, sweat and oppression that go with such beautiful things.

It’s not just that the songs work. The talent behind the instruments must be commended as each and everyone pulls their weight in gold, illustrating such a vastly mesmerizing journey. However, it’s the lead vocals from Einar Solberg that add such a strong layer on top of it all, and combined with his keyboards, the man is able to pierce right down to the very core of one’s anima — forcefully pulling reactions out like no other: Even a heterosexual (unless he’s not telling me something) friend of mine who avoids metal, and rarely has any favorable things to say, wanted to have sex with Solberg.

While diamonds might be a girl’s best friend, that shit doesn’t make the world go around. It’s Coal. For someone who seems hard to please and quite apathetic when it comes down to new music, the fact that I’m whimpering and emotionally exposed by Coal should be quite telling. This is the shit, folks.

Tall Poppy Syndrome maybe the bands first real leap, but the band members are no stranger to the Norwegian metal community. Lead vocalist/keyboardist Einar Solberg was hired for Emperors 2006/2007 reunion shows, and the entire band has recently played as Ihsahn’s live band -a baffling task I’m sure. So obviously, Leprous know their way around their instruments and it shows on this release.

Though, firmly nestled within the more progressive elements of metal/rock music, experimentation is upfront and personal on Tall Poppy Syndrome. Honestly, Leprous are completely original. There certainly is no single sub-genre to place them in and though similar to bands like Opeth, Winds, and Porcupine Tree, their sound has its own aura with song structures and chord progressions completely different than the aforementioned acts. Diving into swing/lounge/jazz/classical/death metal/black metal/ and prog, you’d think a band like this would be all over the place and hard to grasp. Nothing could be further from the truth as hooks are used in a variety of spots and their abilities never get the best of them.

Piano inhabits a lot of this record and is done in a fluttery classical style at time similar to Winds. Other times it brings a lounge vibe to the music and on occasion synths remit fantastic atmosphere.

My only gripe with Leprous at the moment lies within their vocal delivery. Einar Solbergs voice is very clean and delicate. He has a higher pitched voice, which is nothing strange when it comes to progressive music, and it is definitely not a bad voice, but it is somewhat irritating to me and doesn’t fit right at times. When the band actually plunges into death metal or black metal rasps it sounds so much better. Maybe it’s just my taste but one thing that keeps me from really loving this band is his vocals. On the other hand, if they were to utilize the extreme vocals all the time, I fear they would sound too much like Opeth or Ihsahn. So, the band actually sets themselves apart from numerous acts with their unique sound.

Tall Poppy Syndrome is complex music to describe. Leprous are the real deal for people who enjoy experimentation and progressive metal. All I can say is give this record a spin. This is certainly an excellent debut album and we should be prepared to hear great things from this band in the future.