Glasgow, Scotland’s Secondskin arrives doing just that. Taking elements of Jesu/Red Sparowes-like post-rock, the melodic side (and thankfully very, very little screaming) of post-hardcore like Saosin, and the darker, technical shades of bands like Pain Of Salvation and Tool and blend it into a marvelous concoction. The result of its endeavors, Captive Audience, is a masterpiece of modern prog-metal. The somber “Capable Of Anything”, the moody intensity of “Pawned Life”, the passionate strains of the title track, all come with precision and beauty never sacrificing melody for technicality, but marrying the two.

The elevated musicianship is here, yet without the needless noodling of other bands of their ilk. The music here is carrying darker, sadder melodies and understated vocals…vocals that don’t rely on long, soaring notes and vibrato but much more on melody and mood-creation.The guys in Secondskin are not going out of their way to show you how good they are, but you notice anyway. This is definitely a record that fans of darker progressive music should check out.