Superflux - Mise en abyme

Superflux is a simple three man project based in Michigan, featuring Steven Lynn, Ryan Pate, and Ken Tsuchiya. Just recently, they put out a six track, progressive rock and instrumental based EP titled Mise en abyme. Twenty four minutes of classic inspired sounds await in this EP.

Gallows gives off a decent number, ranging from harder guitar to somewhat ambient backed softer sounds. All the instruments flow through together, and while it's not jaw dropping by any means, it still works well enough. Judgment was a fairly quiet song, utilizing minimalist sounds and playing off slight noises here and there. Nothing all too great about this track; if they were going for ambient, they sort of succeeded, but I've heard much better and wouldn't give this a second look.

The folk/acoustic sound brought out in Resurrection was very lovely, and it's one and a half minute length suited perfectly. Deiform had some nice guitar shredding performed within it, and though, again, it sounds nice, I wouldn't quite say that it made me go bonkers.

Another ambient piece came in the form of Peace in Mind. It was nice sounding, but also very bland. Meaning that it's relaxing, but would serve no more as background music in my eyes. Lastly, Reprisal went for a slower paced attitude, the sort of militaristic drum style really played off nicely here.

All in all, I do find Mise en abyme to be something that's pretty well done. I mean, I would probably skip over the ambient tracks if I had to make another pass through this album, but the songs that have more of a rock element to them hit decently. And, not to repeat myself, and though the sounds are decent, nothing on this album caught my attention all too much or floored me in any manner. Still, perhaps a future release will be able to do that. Oct 23 2014