The vast majority of the time when I listen to some progressive metal it is far from an easy listen that I can just fall back into. There’s always so much going on that it can become damn near impossible to just hit play and not feel all the gears in your brain turning unless you’ve listened to the work several times. I never thought that such a thing could change in the world of progressive metal, but it’s almost right off the bat with the act’s newest album that Cloudkicker challenges such a theory with great tenacity.

I’ve never heard of mixing together progressive metal with both instrumentalism and heavy ambient influences that take the spotlight on occasion, but it really does sound like a concept that can be pulled off surprisingly well if just put into the right hands. Well, as you might imagine, Cloudkicker has just those hands to do the job with surprising potency and we can see it on full display for the entirety of “Unending” right from the get-go. Such a colorful cover art like what we see here is nigh on perfect for such a work like this as Cloudkicker has absolutely nailed the concept of constantly shifting music that can become a completely different form at a moment’s notice with such undeniable skill and grace that it’s breath-taking every time it’s accomplished. It’s in every track of “Unending” that occurs as well as Cloudkicker can seamlessly shift from a dazzling work of progressive excellence the likes of which is so smooth that it becomes virtually effortless to become immersed in to a quick work of ambiance that’s somehow just as busy at the metal that it is sandwiched between. The euphoria that’s constantly ongoing within the confines of “Unending” truly appears to be just that: indefinite. Cloudkicker is constantly displaying unparalleled mastery of their craft all throughout this album the likes of which such a niche sound like this is more than deserving of given its potential, and I truly cannot wait to see if this niche sound will take on a life all on its own, Cloudkicker continues to astound us with following releases, or both. Hopefully both.

This is an album unlike any other that I’ve had the pleasure of coming across in recent years, and I cannot express enough just how much attention “Unending” should be getting given its genius and the immense potential that it has at creating its own little scene that can possibly produce more works like this in the future. Whether they know it or not, the act of Cloudkicker has created something superbly special with this release and it should absolutely be something they’re very proud of.

LISTEN to “Unending” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Cloudkicker on Facebook here.