Circuitry (Self-Titled)

Like extreme metal, but want it to be more...listenable? Check these dudes out STAT!Fans of the site know that I'm a sucker for the intricate machinations of extreme or tech metal even though, like a rich dessert, I may feel like I've had more than enough after only a slight indulgence. But what makes the music of New Jersey trio Circuitry different on their self-titled debut is their judicious use of melodic hooks to take the edge off the razor-sharp technical prowess they clearly possess.

From the get go, tracks like Safe Words kick off with all of the sound and fury of your typical extreme metal band, replete with shifting time signatures, but tracks like Horizon have such a strong melodic hook, they bring to mind the easy fretboard gymnastics of Freak Kitchen or other such bands with musicians that have mastered - and transcended - technique and now make the music they want to make - even if it sounds like it's from Mars to us mortals.

The Bottom Line: Most extreme metal acts are so focused on raw technicality that they lose a sense of melody (or even just listenability, for that matter), but Circuitry maintains that love of the hook enough to make their output more than just "music for robots to mosh to".

- Genghis would like to see a music video with robots moshing to Circuitry...