The quest for the next interesting band in the overlapping worlds of progressive rock and metal is an ongoing endeavor that will never die so long as there is music in existence. While we’re left enamored by the likes of Elder, Parius, and Restless Spirit who are constantly sitting at the edge of our collective consciousness as we wait for new material from them, there is always more than enough room for new names to come out of the woodwork and show us just how much glory there still to be made as well as discovered in this style. Their last album was already impressive, but what Sermon has summoned for their most recent excursion is a performance that simply must be hailed for all that it is.

Whereas some might think that you need to go above and beyond with your technical ability in order to deliver a proper performance of the genre, sometimes a little bit of restraint and proper timing can make for a far more exquisite experience. That’s something which only the very best throughout the world of progressive music have a firm grasp on as we’re able to see in one grand performance after another how magnificent it can be, and Sermon gives us one hell of a showcase of just that throughout the ten bombastic tracks that made up “Of Golden Verse”. A constantly meandering work that always keeps the listener guessing as to what precisely will be coming next with the where they’ll end up just as much a question with both the best kind of wonder for it instantly allows this album to become a true spectacle no matter what turn is taken, decision made, or sight seen for this is a performance that doesn’t know how to stop giving. Absolutely rife with captivating rhythms, soaring vocals, and a tremendous balance between the worlds of progressive metal and rock to offer us a great dynamic when it comes to flavor, “Of Golden Verse” may beg some people to draw similarities between Sermon and Tool for all that it manages to be, but I believe that would be a great disservice to this work. Not that such a comparison is bad, but that would make Sermon feel more like they’re living in the shadow of a much larger name rather than climbing out from the underground like the ambitious beast that it is with the teeth and appetite for greater heights to match.

This is what many of us are constantly craving throughout the worlds of all things progressive, and Sermon broke no sweat in bringing it to life in magnificent fashion. I’ve no doubt that “Of Golden Verse” is being considered an album of the year contender for all that is accomplished in these ten powerful tracks. I don’t blame anyone for such a claim for it is every inch of this tremendous creation that is more than worthy of such a boast.

LISTEN to “Of Golden Verse” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Sermon on Facebook here.