Saros “Five Pointed Tongue” CD

"Five Pointed Tongue" (Hungry Eye Records) is the debut full-length from Saros, one of San Francisco's new breed metal acts (featuring drummer Blood Eagle, formerly of the mighty Weakling, for those interested). A rather diverse outfit that blatantly defies specific categorization, there's a significant dose of "traditional" metal influence to the thrashy riffing and soloing, while unique melodic twists and atypical chord phrasings shift towards a different vibe altogether (at times somewhat reminiscent of Arghoslent—strictly in terms of the music, of course). Generally snarled, distant vocals then add a blackened edge—surprisingly easing up for some excellent singing on occasion as well. Beyond that, there are also a few Schuldiner-esque flashes of technicality and time changes, with select eerie clean/acoustic breaks that segue nicely into the band's trademark aggression. Hell, there are even some totally rocked out 70's styled dual guitar runs that come completely out of nowhere in sparse instances—all of which makes for some rather adventurous twists and turns throughout the generally lengthy compositions (the mere five tracks clock in at damn near 45 minutes). This is certainly a group to watch...

Saros "Collapse of the Tower"

You know the drill, buy it if you like it:

Hungry Eye Records
Interpunk